In a wide-ranging interview with The Current, Madawaska Valley Fire Chief Corwin Quade discussed Fire Department news and proudly displayed the many features of the South Hall’s new Fire Rescue Truck. Quade said the new Rescue Truck was worth waiting for, especially as it represents extremely good value to the taxpayer.
New Rescue Truck is good value
He said when it became clear that the South Hall rescue van was beyond its useful life, Quade began shopping for a second hand replacement. Very few used vehicles come on the market, they are snapped up quickly and MV missed out on some second hand trucks. Explaining that a used truck costs around $120,000 and that a new vehicle from a specialist fire truck manufacturer ranges between $150,000 and $200,000, Quade outlined how this new vehicle has saved MV taxpayers $80,000.
He went truck shopping at a van dealership, ignored the used trucks without warranty and concentrated instead on a new vehicle with a full 6-year warranty. He said, “In April of 2019 I purchased a 2018 cube van for $38,000 to replace the South Hall rescue truck. The truck did not come equipped with compartments or emergency equipment, as it didn’t come from a fire truck manufacturer.”
In May of 2019 he obtained quotes for a retrofit to include all emergency equipment, four compartments fitted with interior lighting, and interior shelves above each compartment. Side doors, lights, decals and compartments had to be installed. It took nine months to obtain all the separate elements. The van went to Belleville where Sterlmar Equipment installed the LED emergency lights and came back here for Thru Way to put in the interior shelving units. It also went to Emagine in Bancroft who provided all the decals and emergency signage. At times during 2020, COVID-19 restrictions added to the delays.
Above: Rescue Truck features include back-up camera, fully-computerized emergency lighting panel, roll-up doors on exterior compartments for jaws of life. The bigger 16-ft. box provides room for extrication and forestry equipment, spare air bottles. With heat and air conditioning and multiple power sockets, the truck can be used as a command unit in case of another tornado or flood.
One of the first times MV Fire Dept. used this truck was at a serious head-on collision on Combermere Road in late November. As Quade pointed out its features (above), he said he expects MV Fire Dept. will have it for a very long time. He was pleased with the savings: “An extra $80,000 is a lot of taxpayers’ money. Council worked with us; we went back and forth with different options, that’s why it took so long.”
Busy season ahead for Fire Dept.
Never one to miss an opportunity for public education, Quade said the mild weather during December and early January makes for chimney fire season. He stressed that it’s vital to install smoke alarms and to have your chimney cleaned, especially during mild weather. “What happens is they clog up. Your chimney gets hot, and it cools; that makes the creosote. It’s just like charcoal. That’s what starts chimney fires.” Explaining that a recent structure fire in Brudenell Lyndoch & Raglan was started by a chimney fire, Quade said the homeowner had working smoke alarms and was able to get out safely in less than a minute.
Chief compliments MV Fire Dept. volunteers and employers
Reminding The Current that he is the only Fire Dept. member on municipal staff, Quade said that MV Fire Dept. personnel are all volunteers, even the Deputy Chiefs at both halls. “Our volunteers don’t clown around; they move. We’ve got an exceptionally good crew here. Between the two halls, I couldn’t ask for better.”
Quade is pleased with the community attitude towards volunteerism. He said, “We’ve got a waiting list at both halls now of people wanting to come on: four [in Barry’s Bay] and six at Combermere want to come on even though we’ve got a full platoon right now.… They’re younger people. They’ve got families here and they want to stay. It’s great; we’re guaranteed to have bodies day and night. Some people work shifts here so it’s a good mix.”
Saying he doesn’t like to brag or say our people are better than anyone else, Quade stated, “In Madawaska Valley, our men and women here, they drop everything. They have arrangements with their work.”
He made it clear that local businesses play an important part, too. “The employers around here allow them to go. They know how important it is and they don’t question them. We’re fortunate in this township. We’ve got great people here, great employers. We’re still on a points system here and the guys are happy with it. The point is keeping everybody safe. We’re fortunate here.”
Great story