It’s decked out with a Canadian flag, Sechelt decals and of course it’s fire engine red. And as of May 1, Sechelt Fire Department’s brand new primary fire engine is snugly tucked into the fire hall’s engine bay on Trail Avenue.
“It’s the combination of three years of work done by our committee, and it’s going to serve the community for the next 20 years” said Fire Chief Trevor Pike, minutes after it rolled into the department’s parking lot for the first time.
Fire Engine No.1 will be the front running rig to respond to any fires in the District of Sechelt and beyond. The previous Engine No. 1, a 1989 Ford, will become the fire department’s secondary engine. An older truck will be moved to training grounds on Mason Road.
The chassis of the $719,000 rig, built in Wisconsin by Pierce Manufacturing, was delivered to a company called Maximetal in Quebec where the fabrication and body work was completed. It arrived on the Sunshine Coast on Friday.
“It’s got the ability to do everything that we’re ever going to ask of a fire truck here in our community,” said Pike. Its pumping capacity is “amazing” – up to 2,000 gallons (7,600 litres) a minute. Six people can fit in the cab.
“We’re very proud of the work the committee has done to bring this truck to the people of Sechelt and Sechelt First Nation,” he said.
Training has been slower than usual because of pandemic precautions, but crew are expected to be trained and the engine eased into service by mid-July. Pike has already been behind the wheel – when he travelled to Quebec to inspect it, along with other members of the committee that chose the engine.
COVID-19 has also led to a significant drop in calls at the department – a good thing, said Pike – but public health restrictions also mean an open house to show off the new engine to the public won’t be organized until after those restrictions are lifted.
