Image: M. Vanden Bosch / PML / The Columbia Valley and Lindell Beach Fire Department (1202 Kosikar Road) is set to replace its aging 28-year-old Ford fire engine with a newer Freightliner fire engine that will arrive sometime in 2023.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Columbia Valley Fire

Columbia Valley Fire Department to receive new fire engine in 2023

Oct 22, 2022 | 11:13 AM

COLUMBIA VALLEY — The Popkum Fire Department won’t be the only rural fire hall in the Chilliwack area with a fresh new fire engine in the next year or so.

The Columbia Valley Fire Department will be the recipient of a new fire engine sometime in 2023 after the Fraser Valley Regional District Board of Directors passed a motion in June that paves the way for a new 4-door Freightliner apparatus at a cost of $426,875 plus applicable taxes.

According to a staff report prepared back in June by FVRD staff members Trina Douglas and Deanne Bozek, the department’s 1994 Ford fire engine is past the expected useful life for a fire engine and could constitute a liability if it is unable to perform when needed.

More specifically, Douglas and Bozek wrote, the apparatus does not meet the Fire Underwriters Survey terms of reference for fire insurance grading and public fire protection classification.

The FVRD board selected vendor Fort Garry Fire Trucks, which has provided a work plan to initiate the build of this new apparatus with a delivery date of 14 months post-award. The deposit is $137,750.50 plus applicable taxes and the build will be completed for the year 2023, the staff report indicated. The balance is payable upon delivery acceptance.

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The purchase price of $426,865 (plus taxes) will be funded from the Columbia Valley Volunteer Fire Department’s budget. The amount has been budgeted in 2022 and 2023 for the service area, the staff report noted.

Earlier this year, FVRD directors passed a motion on July 28 that authorizes the replacement of a 23-year-old Freightliner fire engine used by the Popkum Fire Department.