Belleville Council has decided to donate another aging fire truck to the local fire training centre.
The pumper truck, which was new in 1996, is being replaced by a new truck that was approved for purchase in the 2020 budget and will be donated to the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Fire Training Centre in Trenton, to replace a 1991 pumper that the city had also donated.
The 1991 model is set to be sold, with the proceeds of that sale going to the training centre as a donation as well and the 1996 model will be replaced at Station 4 by a 2009 model that will be reassigned from another fire hall.
Deputy Chief Paul Patry says having a properly equipped training centre so close makes a big difference for both full-time and volunteer firefighters locally.
“They require less use of their own private time, or vacation period, to travel to Gravenhurst. They can do training in smaller blocks and remain at home, both to serve as our emergency services personnel, but it also doesn’t take as much time away from their families.”
Council also approved the purchase of a 2021 F250 pickup for the fire department, agreeing to buy the truck from Benton Fry Ford Sales for just over $55,000.
The truck will be used to carry and tow various equipment, as well as for traffic control and other duties.
It will also have to be outfitted with lights, sirens and other needed features.
