LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Sitting in the driver's seat of the Fort Simpson Volunteer Fire Department's new pumper truck, Shanelle Arden was amazed by all of the buttons within reach.

E'tonda Arden, left, and her sister Shanelle sit in the driver's seat of the Fort Simpson Volunteer Fire Department's new pumper truck during a community open house at the fire hall on Nov. 27. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

It must be hard for the firefighters to know which ones to use, 10-year-old Arden commented.

Arden and her sister were among the people who got a close look at the new vehicle during a community open house on Nov. 27 at the fire hall that was held for that purpose.

"It's a good sense of pride for the department and it should be for the entire village," said volunteer Fire Chief Pat Rowe about the new addition.

The pumper truck arrived in mid-October to replace the department's previous model that dated from 1977. The truck was worn out and didn't meet all of the village's needs, Rowe said.

The new vehicle, which cost $603,000, was custom built for the village by Pierce Manufacturing. Three members of the department, including Rowe, travelled to the company's headquarters in Appleton, Wis., last February to discuss the village's specialized needs.

The resulting truck carries 1,200 gallons (7,500 litres), approximately 200 gallons (750 litres) more than the previous truck, for responding to situations in the Wild Rose and Nogha Heights subdivisions.

"In a fire that's huge," Rowe said.

The truck is also equipped with the gear needed to respond to a motor vehicle accident on the highways surrounding the village, including a built-in heavy hydraulic system. There is also a lot of extra room in the truck for both firefighters and gear.

When responding in the past, two firefighters went in the pumper truck, two went in the equipment truck and the rest squeezed into the ambulance. Now a total of six can ride to a scene in the pumper truck. The truck also cuts down on response time because the self-contained breathing apparatuses are mounted on the seats and can be put on while the truck is en route, Rowe said.

The ability to spray foam, which puts fires out faster than water, and being able to move while spraying, which is useful for grass fires, round out the truck's capabilities. The new truck will improve the department's response to calls, said Rowe.

"It's state of the art," he said.

The 16 members of the department dedicated the last month to familiarizing themselves with the truck. Firefighter Troy Hardisty said there was a lot to learn about running the pumps.

Hardisty said he's both "happy" and "excited" about the new vehicle.

With the pumper truck fully commissioned, the old truck was taken for one last drive with its sirens running before being put in storage.

"A few of us were pretty sad to see the old girl get parked," said Rowe.

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