New Fire Apparatus for Coombs-Hilliers and Nanoose Volunteer Fire Departments

Posted in: News Item

Date Posted: 2023-06-27

Organization Name: Regional District of Nanaimo

Location: Nanaimo

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is pleased to announce the arrival of a new fire tender and command truck for the Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department (CHVFD) and a command truck for the Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department (NVFD). The $602,000 fire tender is a dual-axle fire truck purchased to replace the current fire tender, which is at the end of its lifecycle. The two command trucks are Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks that will be used for duty response, incident command and support to the fire departments.

The new fire tender allows CHVFD to maintain their Superior Tender Shuttle Accreditation, enabling efficient water delivery for fire suppression in areas without fire hydrants and providing potential insurance savings for residents. This fire tender will serve the Coombs-Hilliers community and the neighbouring mutual aid communities for the next 20 to 25 years.

With input from the CHVFD and other fire service representatives, Fort Garry Fire Trucks designed and built the fire tender in 18 months, with a number of unique specifications. The new fire tender carries 3,000 gallons of water and has a 1,250 imperial gallons per minute pump. It also has a pump and roll capability with a top-mounted monitor (also known as a deck gun), meaning that firefighters can control the water being released through the monitor from inside the fire tender while they are moving.

For information on the Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department, visit rdn.bc.ca/coombs-hilliers-fire and for Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department, visit nanoosevfd.com. For information on fire services in the RDN, visit rdn.bc.ca/fire-services.

“The new fire tender and command truck are welcome additions to our emergency response apparatus. They will help our volunteer firefighters to respond quickly and effectively to fires and other emergencies within our fire service area.”
Ron Schildroth, Chief, Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department

“The command truck will increase our ability to respond to emergencies within our fire service area. The truck will be put to good use as part of our fleet of emergency response apparatus at the Nanoose Fire Hall.”
Leo Groenewegen, Acting Chief, Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department