Christina Lake gets much anticipated new fire truck

By Erin Perkins

Christina Lake Fire Rescue has waited nearly five months but their shiny new red and chrome pumper truck is finally here.

The truck, now known as Engine 1, arrived at the department's garage earlier this month. They had expected it to be delivered on November 15, 2011 but due to manufacturing delays, it was quite late.

Delay aside, the truck is great according to fire chief Ken Gresley-Jones.

Every fire truck is custom built specifically for the needs of the department it serves. This one includes built-in breathing apparatus, a lot more power and speed, and the ability to make fire retardant foam.

Engine 1 will still need some tweaking due to oversights on both sides during the design process, said Gresley-Jones.

Things he'd like to see adjusted include the addition of a built-in breathing apparatus to the front passenger side seat like the one found on the driver's side, a gauge on the tank to know if the tank is getting low and a radio installed on the outside of the truck so the person manning the pump can get direction and give direction during an emergency.

The last Engine 1 truck, which is now Engine 2, was purchased in 1991. While it is still in pristine condition, it had to be replaced due to its age. The primary fire truck must be less than 20 years old according to the B.C. Insurance Writers, said Gresley-Jones.

"If we didn't replace it, everyone's (fire) insurance would have gone up four times," said Gresley-Jones.

The initial cost of the truck was about $307,000 but due to the delayed delivery, the truck may cost nearly $20,000 less due to a clause in the contract which states the company will deduct $200 a day for every day the delivery is delayed. Gresley-Jones plans on taking them up on that offer.

The Regional District Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) pays for the truck out of tax payers dollars.

"The (RDKB) has paid for it with 15-year financing so it won't be a royal hit to the pocket book at the lake," said Gresley-Jones.

The next big expense for the department will be replacing the decade old fire station roof for $25,000.

Besides the new five-seater Engine 1 and the six-seater Engine 2, the department also has 31-year old mini pumper with 4 wheel drive for use in bush fires, a rescue truck and and two person tender truck. The fire chief's own truck has also been updated with a newer used pick-up.

Christina Lake Fire Department always looking for more volunteers

Right now the department is looking for four more volunteers to join the 21 member crew.

"It's more and more difficult for the community to find volunteers," said Gresley-Jones, who has been a member of the department for more than 30 years and a chief for 22 of those years. "There used to be a line up, now we're scrambling to find them."

He said more Christina Lake residents must work out of the community, even out of the province, and can't commit to being available to answer the call for an accident or a fire.

"(We need less volunteers out) with a car accident. But if there's a fire, we need everybody."

Besides the great training and excitement of being a volunteer fire fighter, Gresley-Jones loves the team dynamics.

"The camaraderie is second to none. They are putting themselves in harms way and in trying situations and they are there for each other. It's gratifying when you can help someone. It makes you feel good."

A volunteer firefighter must commit to the team, which includes getting a First Responder License and various other courses and exercises. The group meets every Wednesday at 7 p.m. for the weekly practices and one business meeting a month.

Applications are available at the Christina Lake Fire Hall. Gresley-Jones can be found at the hall office usually from Monday to Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 10 or 11 a.m. Or call him at 250-666-0911. Email is .