New to Us: 2004 Fire Trucks Arrive From Canada
Belize City and the twin towns of San Ignacio/Santa Elena will see an improvement in the services they receive from the National Fire services, with a donation of three fire trucks from Calgary, Canada. While the three trucks cost the government eighty five thousand dollars, this is a significant reduction in cost, because a single unit can go for over one hundred thousand dollars. Although they date back to 2004, they are the now the most modern fire fighting trucks Belize has, and a stark contrast to the Service’s largely antiquated fleet.
Collin Gillette
Collin Gillette, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
“These trucks are actually 2004 Spartan fire trucks. These trucks are actually the latest trucks we have ever had. They hold a thousand gallons each. With very low mileage on them we expect to last a really long time.”
Reporter
“Where will the trucks be dispatched?”
Collin Gillette, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
“At the moment we want two of them to remain here in the city, and one to go to San Ignacio/ Santa Elena. What we have been trying to do over the last few years is try to get two trucks to each station, and these are the last places we will require one. When we get our new station headquarters on Chetumal Street, one will be there, so that we can have a triangular attack for the city.”
Reporter
“With these new vehicles, to be two for Belize City, and one for out west in San Ignacio, will we see the retirement of some of these vehicles that your mechanics have to work magic sometimes for this truck to run?”
Collin Gillette, Fire Chief, National Fire Service
“Correct. So the idea, with all the trucks that we have received, and this is actually the sixth airlift truck that came, we already started to weed those out. So, if you ever pass by the Ladyville Fire Station, a lot of them are there. They are already put up. Because we have to make sure our firefighters are safe, and it is not safe to drive a truck that that can’t stop, the pump doesn’t work, or it is breaking in half.”
