The Colinton Fire Department is fundraising to replace its rescue truck.
“The rescue doesn’t carry water like all of the department’s other vehicles. It’s specialized for rescue operations,” said volunteer firefighter Geoff Loken. “It’s primarily for transporting and operating vehicle extrication tools, or any kind of medical equipment we might need.”
Loken explained that the majority of Colinton’s calls are to motor vehicle collisions and medical emergencies.
“The rescue truck we’ve got now is essentially a retrofitted ambulance, and it’s showing its age,” he said. “It’s had a growing number of mechanical issues over the last few years and has actually been sitting in the county’s shop since November waiting for critical maintenance.”
Loken explained the department has to raise at least half the money to buy a replacement truck.
“We’ve been accepted for a couple grants, but most of the provincial money is ‘matched,’ which means that we have to supply 50 per cent of the funds,” he said. “Obviously, that’s an issue for us, but the casino is one way of bridging that gap.”
The department is currently organizing a casino and is looking for volunteers for May 29 and 30.
“The county is responsible for updating and replacing our trucks, but with a dozen or so departments in the county and no more than one replacement a year, it’s just not enough support to keep all of our vehicles modern,” Loken explained. “We can’t afford to run unreliable vehicles, and even at its best, this one was never ideal.”
Loken said the rescue truck wasn’t designed for the storage or deployment of tools.
“We’re carrying a lot more in the interior than is really safe. In an accident, all that stuff could roll around and someone could get seriously hurt,” Loken said.
To volunteer at the casino or to donate, contact Loken in the evenings at 780-801-0963.
