The Burnaby Fire Department will add a major new weapon to its arsenal against wildfires in local parks and greenspaces next year.
At a meeting last week, city council unanimously pre-approved $500,000 for the purchase of a wildland firefighting vehicle to be delivered in 2021.
“This vehicle enables the BFD off-road access and rapid fire suppression to wildland areas on and around Burnaby Mountain and throughout the city where regular fire engines cannot travel,” stated a report presented to council on June 20. “The vehicle will be utilized by current staff to transport and deploy wildland firefighting equipment, personnel, and water supplies for operations inside forested areas and remote trails during emergency events.”
The $500,000 will fund the purchase of a Ford F-550 cab and chassis outfitted with a compressed foam system, according to the report.
The need for the new wildland firefighting vehicle was identified in the 2020-2024 capital plan, according to the report.
“The Fire Department is currently growing and expanding its operations to better protect the community and forested areas from wildland fire incidents,” states the financial plan. “The city and its citizens have a great appreciation for park, conservation, and recreational areas. The expansion of department wildland operations is a key response to increased citizen concern and changing risks associated with city wildland incidents.”
Green space makes up about 25% or 5,400 acres of the city, according to the city’s website.
