New pumper truck will provide area with greater firefighting capabilities

Sackville has a brand new, shiny red fire truck to add to its firefighting arsenal.
A new pumper truck, which comes with a price tag of more than $330,000, was recently delivered to the Sackville fire station to replace the oldest of three pumpers at the station.
"It's been a long time coming," said Sackville Fire Chief Craig Bowser of the fire department's wish to replace the 25-year-old gas-powered pumper truck.
The 1982 pumper was becoming unreliable and would overheat on occasion, said Bowser, causing anxiety that the vehicle would let firefighters down in a time of need.
The No. 1 pumper is the last of the fire department's gas-powered vehicles to be replaced with a diesel motored truck. The other two pumpers were purchased in 1992 and 1997 and the department also owns a tanker, a rescue van and a snorkel truck.
Bowser said he is pleased the town continues to put its support behind the volunteer firefighters and provides them with the necessary equipment and gear to do their job. The funds for the new vehicle came from the town's 2007 capital budget.
"We are very fortunate the town is behind us and supports us in every endeavor we take on," he said.
The new four-door cab truck has seats equipped with air packs and also features an on-board diesel generator.
Bowser said that the truck has the ability now to carry a four-or-five-man crew to a scene instead of only two members. So now, when called to a fire, at least two firefighters can be equipping themselves with the proper gear to enter the scene, one can be assessing the fire, and the fourth can be preparing the pumpers.
The new truck is also equipped with a new set of extrication tools (Jaws of Life) recently purchased by the department and a new thermal imaging camera.
Bowser said this means the community can rest safer knowing there are two fire trucks at his department with this equipment.
"One will be used for outside calls - it will service our LSD area and be used for mutual aid calls - and the other will be in town all the time," he said.
The new truck, which has the capability of pumping more water (with a 1,000-gallon capacity) faster, is also expected to help speed up the response time when members are called to a fire.
"This new truck will service the community for the next 25 years very well," said the fire chief.
The older pumper truck will be donated to the Cape Tormentine Fire Department, which is in need of new vehicles.
For residents who are interested in checking out the new vehicle, and any other firefighting equipment and gear at the station, the Sackville Fire Department is hosting an open house on Thursday evening, Sept. 18 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.