Falling loonie could impact Vernon’s plan to buy new fire truck

VERNON – City council had promised Vernon Fire Rescue a new water tender for firefighters at the Okanagan Landing fire hall, but the falling value of the Canadian dollar is impacting the price tag.

Council approved the purchase of the new fire truck last fall, but since then, the loonie has taken a beating on the markets and the price of the truck has gone up about 20 per cent.

The $222,000 water tender built in the U.S. is now selling for about $277,000 — an increase of about $55,000.

The councillors will be asked at their regular meeting Monday, March 23, to use money from the Emergency Response Reserve to cover the shortfall.

The current water tender in Okanagan Landing is 29 years old and needs to be replaced to keep up with industry standards, according to a report from Deputy Fire Chief Jack Blair. He adds the truck may remain in service at the new Predator Ridge fire hall.

If council approves the extra funds, it will drop the balance in the reserve to just over $67,000.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.