Fire truck arrives in Rankin
New vehicle part of steady improvements to department
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
RANKIN INLET
A small gathering was held to celebrate the long-awaited arrival of a new fire truck in Rankin Inlet this past week.
Rankin Inlet SAO Justin Merritt inspects the interior of the new truck added to the Rankin Inlet Fire Department last week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
"After trying for so long, I can't believe we finally got it," said Rankin Inlet Mayor Robert Janes. He spoke enthusiastically about the latest addition to the Rankin fleet, valued at around $250,000, and the promise the future holds for the department.
"I'd like to thank everyone along the way who was responsible for helping us acquire this vehicle," said Janes. "It's a fantastic piece of equipment to add to our firefighting infrastructure. I'm so pleased with the quality I've been seeing from our firefighters, who are doing a first-class, first-rate job that speaks well to the future of the department in Rankin."
SAO Justin Merritt said the old pumper served its community well, but it was time for it to go.
He said it's also great to see the department increasing its numbers.
"They're not just fighting fires anymore," said Merritt. "They're into first-aid and specialized training, and doing courses with young adults in our community. As SAO, I get complaints when people don't receive good service and complaints have been very few and far between."
According to Merritt, fire chief Mark Wyatt plans to have regular training in Rankin Inlet. "I see unlimited possibilities to grow our fire department and ambulance service," said Merritt.
Wyatt said the new truck is much better designed than its predecessor for the cold that Rankin firefighters have to face most of the year. But he added that as welcome as the new truck it, it still all comes down to the skills of the people operating it.
"As good as our equipment is, it's not going to do any good for the community without the firefighters we have," said Wyatt. "I'm proud of how hard our members are working, and how well they've done in the training they've received."
Wyatt plans to begin a new recruiting drive this week, with the goal to add an additional six to eight firefighters.
"We have a pretty first class fire department here now and it's only going to get better," he said.
