The city’s brand new fire truck has arrived and went on its first call to a motor vehicle incident Wednesday morning.
Ordered a year ago, Engine 14 was built by Rosenbauer in Sioux Falls, S.D.
The company drove the truck up to Williams Lake last week, arriving Thursday, and the fire department’s 13 qualified drivers trained on it during the weekend.
“Firefighter Trevor Schick drove it this morning,” Williams Lake Fire Department Chief Des Webster said of the truck’s first call. “That was fitting because he was part of the design team for the truck.”
Showing off some of the truck’s features, Webster said the pump panel is enclosed which will keep dirt and grime out.
Another great feature is the ladder on the top of the truck that comes down out the side.
There’s a compartment dedicated to spare canisters, one for hoses, and another for axes and shovels.
“It was built for functionality and built well,” Webster said, adding the price tag was just over $500,000. “It’s not a fancy truck, there is very little on it that we don’t need.”
Even a rainbow flashing light behind the driver’s side up top has function. It is the water tank gauge.
Normally the new trucks come with the cab and chassis and the rest is customized to a fire department’s specifications.
The new cab is very large with more room for firefighters wearing gear to be comfortable.
With the arrival of the new engine, the old yellow truck has gone into retirement from Williams Lake and was sold through B.C. Bid and Engine 12 becomes the reserve truck for another five years.
The next truck due to be replaced next year will be the 20 year old water tender that is primarily used for attending areas the fire department serves within the Cariboo Regional District.
Webster confirmed the new truck will be featured in the Winters Lights Festival Parade this weekend.