Darrel Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 04/00) - The newest addition to the Rankin Inlet fire department is on its way.

The 1,050 gallon-per minute pumper truck, manufactured by the Fort Garry Fire Trucks of Winnipeg, Man., is expected to arrive in Rankin on the Oct. 8 barge.

Keewatin regional fire Marshal Tim Hinds says it will take a day or two for the truck to be in the firehall.

"The barge has to unload fuel first before it drops cargo," says Hinds.

The cost of the truck, which includes training and transport, is about $250,000.

When the truck arrives it will go through a final inspection process for warranty issues.

Hamlet staff and members of the fire department will then go through a training program from Oct. 23-27.

"Any time after that -- as soon as we get fire crews who are trained -- the truck will be put into service.

"So people will probably see it in the community for a couple of weeks before it's actually put into service."

Hinds says the 2000 model will join the 1994 model already in service and the Rankin department will be able to get rid of its oldest truck.

He says hamlet council will have the final say on the old truck's fate.

The new truck will increase the hamlet's firefighting ability substantially by moving to a 1,050 gallon-per-minute water pump from a 840 gallon-per-minute pump.

He adds the truck is quite a bit larger than its predecessor and can transport more people and equipment.

"This truck has an enclosed cab for five interior passengers. I can tell you that the members of the local department are very excited about the arrival of this truck."