A new ladder truck purchased by Coquitlam Fire and Rescue will help emergency officials reach new heights when battling blazes.
Fire chief Tony Delmonico said with 35 high rises already built in the municipality and 20 to 30 expected in the coming years, building height was a major consideration when selecting the new vehicle.
"It gives you a little more reach," he said. "There is no question it was one of the considerations."
The previous ladder truck, which will be retired once crews are trained on the new vehicle, could reach eight to nine storeys under optimal conditions. The new ladder can reach as high as 12 storeys, giving firefighters more options when battling blazes in taller structures.
The new vehicle, which cost the city $1.2 million, was one of three trucks the fire department recently purchased.
A rescue vehicle was also purchased, replacing an old equipment carrier. Unlike the old rescue truck, the new one is equipped with a compressor and fire pump, meaning it can begin to battle a fire without the support of another vehicle.
"Before crews had to wait for the arrival of our other truck before they could do a fire attack," he said. "This gives us greater capability."
A new tanker vehicle has also been added to the fleet. The pump truck carries 3,000 gallons of water and Delmonico believes it will be an important part of any wildland interface blazes, where water supply is limited.
The total cost of the three new vehicles is $2 million and the old vehicles will either be moved into reserve or retired.
The average fire truck has a 20-year lifespan, ten of which are spent in active service while the final decade is spent in reserve in a backup capacity.
