The cost of Sarnia Fire and Rescue's new ladder truck increased by around $500,000 over the past few years, but fortunately for taxpayers, the manufacturer stuck with the original price.
When the service ordered the 78-foot truck from Florida in 2021, the cost was $1.5 million. Chief Bryan Van Gaver said since then, the truck has seen five price increases.
"We were somewhat concerned through the process that the [manufacturer] might approach us and ask for more money but that did not happen."
Van Gaver said the service has another identical truck in their 10-year capital plan for 2027, which is currently earmarked for $2 million.
"But obviously, each year we'll monitor what's going on and adjust accordingly."
The new truck, which arrived last month, replaces an existing truck that reached the end of its cycle -- 13 years in service and seven in reserve.
Van Gaver said the vehicle has a shorter wheelbase for better maneuverability which allows it to get into tighter spots around the city.
"There are certain locations in the city where it's difficult to get a large ladder truck in there, so it gets into where the smaller trucks can go a little easier and also the added benefit of having a elevated water supply if we need it," he said. "[It's used for] just anything that requires a high reach, whether it's an apartment building [or] we've used our elevated platforms bringing people off the ships that are docked for the winter."
Van Gaver said Sarnia Fire said it will be operating out of the Wellington Street station. He said the service currently has two ladder trucks and one platform truck.
"The difference being the ladder is just what it indicates, a ladder, and the platform actually is an extended ladder which has a standing platform for people to stand in a bucket."
Van Gaver said the last three trucks that went out of service were all donated to Lambton College.
"So, we struck agreements with them where we figured out the fair market value of the truck, approached them with that dollar figure and then they provided us, in kind, training hours at the fire tower down there, so it's worked quite well for both agencies."
Van Gaver said regardless of the future of the old truck, it has to go before council for approval on what they're going to do with it.
-With Files From Josh Boyce
This afternoon @SarniaFire received our newest apparatus. This new Ladder 4 that will be operating out of Station 4 on Wellington Street. This new ladder truck has a shorter wheelbase for better manoeuvrability while still maintaining a long reach. pic.twitter.com/Juj7FrUrhj
— Sarnia Fire Rescue (@SarniaFire) February 21, 2023
