Firefighters reach new heights

The new Aerial Ladder Fire Fighting Vehicle is unloaded from a transport truck at CFB Esquimalt’s Transport Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (TEME). The new apparatus is one of nine fire trucks being delivered to bases across the country this year. Photo Credit: CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Members of CFB Esquimalt Fire and Rescue say they are eager to test their new high-tech aerial rescue fire truck.

The Aerial Ladder Fire Firefighting Vehicle (AFFV), with a ladder that measures 35 metres (115 feet), was unloaded from a transport truck at the Transport Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (TEME) building on July 17. The AFFV is one of nine new vehicles being delivered to military bases across the country at an estimated total cost of $18.9 million, as part of the Department of National Defence (DND) procurement strategy.

Deputy Fire Chief Geordie Douglas says there is a great deal of anticipation surrounding the AFFV and noted there were several “oohs and ahs” when it was unloaded at TEME. That’s because the apparatus can be used for high angle emergency situations including elevated search and rescue and enhanced casualty evacuation and fire prevention.

“The crews are ecstatic about this new apparatus and can’t wait to start learning how to use it and working with it,” said Douglas. “There are numerous things this truck can do that we couldn’t do with our existing [similar] truck, so it will help our firefighters do their job and increase the ability to do it in a safe manner.”

Firefighters in the rescue platform or bucket and the boom operator have two cameras at their disposal. One is a regular camera and the other a thermal imaging camera that shows hotspots, which will further enhance safety when visibility is poor such as in smoky situations.

A representative from manufacturer Rosenbauer International AG will give firefighters and mechanics from TEME extensive training on the new apparatus.

“After the training is complete we will then have a core group of people who will bring the training back to the membership,” said Douglas.

Other bases receiving the new AFFV are 4 Wing Cold Lake, 3 Wing Bagotville, 8 Wing Trenton, 19 Wing Comox, 14 Wing Greenwood, CFB Suffield, CFB Shilo, and CFB Gagetown.