Bentley rescue truck: like a charm
News
Posted 1 month ago
Jasmine Franklin
Globe Staff
Bentley's latest addition to the fire hall — a new rescue truck — has enabled the team to do their job more efficiently.
"It's a spectacular piece of equipment," said Craig Colegrave, Bentley fire chief. "An absolute boom to our operations."
The truck was put into service about eight months ago after long efforts to replace a 1980s rescue truck that was simply not up to par anymore.
The new truck can transport up to eight crew members to a scene and additionally hold up to six people for victims' care. The mid-section is heated and Colgrave said the truck helps to make victims' "misfortune a little more tolerable."
The total cost of the truck rang in at $221,000, said Keith Boras, Lacombe County manager of environmental and protective services. The County and Town of Lacombe each contributed about $17,000.
The remaining costs were raised through government grants. The firehall also fundraised so the truck could have extra options.
"It's like the Swiss army knife of our department," Colegrave said. "It can hold all of our equipment, people and illuminate an entire scene."
Rescue trucks are generally the first vehicle dispatched to any rescue situation.
As for the Bentley fire department, Colegrave is hoping by the end of this year the crew will fulfill its needed 20 members while right now they are sitting at a 17-person membership.
