Aerial fire truck a great gift

[five_alarm]

LACOMBE, AB — The Lacombe Fire Department can soon reach for the sky--town council approved a request for a state-of-the-art fire truck with aerial capabilities last week. To be ordered in 2005 and delivered in 2006, the truck will likely be an articulating platform model with a 30-metre vertical arm extension, equipped with an elbow to allow simultaneous vertical and horizontal movement. The fire department requested it several months ago when council began its budget deliberations, arguing that buildings in Lacombe were getting taller and wider, and the department had no equipment to deal with any worst-case scenarios. "I know the Town knew we needed a truck, but in truth I didn’t expect it until next year," said town fire chief Tom Fisher. "I’m ecstatic with the results. It’s a hell of an investment to put into a volunteer fire hall. For us to have one is just overwhelming." Although issuing a bid for tender is still months away--likely in the spring--the expected price tag is about $1 million.

Source: lacombeglobe.com (http://www.firehall.com/refer.php?url=http://www.lacombeglobe.com/story.php?id=133554&linkid=1236&parent=news(headlines)&)

[five_alarm]

LACOMBE, AB - A few more pieces to the financial puzzle for Lacombe’s aerial fire truck have fallen into place. Lacombe town council approved second and third reading of Bylaw 333, which allows for the debenture purchase of an articulating-platform fire truck. Council approved first reading of the $700,000 debenture bylaw last April.

The Town ordered the E-One Bronto truck from Rocky Mountain Phoenix Emergency Vehicles Ltd. (http://www.rockymountainfire.com/index.cfm) for $969,944. It’s expected to be in service in early 2006, according to Ken Kendall, Lacombe’s assistant chief administrative officer. "It’ll probably be delivered in the next couple of weeks," said Kendall, adding firefighters will begin training shortly thereafter.

Operating the E-One Bronto (http://www.e-one.com/bronto.asp) will require basic familiarity and formal training, including a Pump ‘C’ course and driver certification, he said.

Source: lacombeglobe.com (http://www.lacombeglobe.com/story.php?id=197288)

[five_alarm]

LACOMBE, AB - A hefty piece of equipment with far-reaching capabilities made its debut on town streets recently. Members of the Lacombe Fire Department literally received a training boost when they learned basic operation procedures for the E-One Bronto aerial fire truck.

"There’s a lot to it," said Lacombe Fire Chief Tom Fisher, of the training. "Our foremost goal is to provide the best service to the ratepayers in Lacombe." The Town ordered the $969,944 truck from Rocky Mountain Phoenix Emergency Vehicles Ltd. last year. The vehicle’s articulating platform is capable of reaching 29 metres into the air for rescue or fire suppression emergencies.

On Jan. 7 and 8, firefighters learned basic controls, operating the vehicle in the Wolf Creek Industrial Park. Training was provided by E-One, the manufacturer of the vehicle, part of the contract agreement.

Source: lacombeglobe.com (http://www.lacombeglobe.com/story.php?id=207530)