It was all smiles at the Tsq’escen Volunteer Fire Department hall recently as firefighters got a first look at their new engine, manufactured by Hub Fire Engines of Abbotsford.
The truck has been built with a high mid-body and high angle departure that will enable it to better negotiate the terrain and roads of the Cariboo.
The GMC pumper, which has been in service since the fire department was established in 1983, will continue to be “on duty,” says fire chief Greg Archie.
He adds the fire service has 16 regular members, 12 of whom have been active since the department’s inception in 1983. They practise weekly on Tuesdays.
New recruits are always welcome, he notes.
“We are an expanding department that has five new recruits. Most of our wives provide support for the logistics and incidents, and are a very large part of all incident response.”
Most emergency calls involve chimney fires and yard fires that have become unmanageable, he says, adding the department also responds to motor-vehicle incidents on the reserve.
“We are all just trying to make our community a safer and better place to play, learn and prosper. We are still a progressing department and we welcome help from neighbouring or other fire officials with training and innovations.”