This unique 10-metre-long, $330,000 unit expands the rural volunteer department's firefighting capabilities, said Deputy Fire Chief Corey Zinck. The builder was New Brunswick-based Metalfab.
The truck has quick pumping expertise and loads of water. The vehicle holds 3,900 litres and is built to pump 5,700 litres of water per minute. Fire Chief John Robart said the new International can pump water from a tank while crews work to access more water from another source, which lessens a potential gap in flow at a fire emergency.
The vehicle's cab holds five firefighters. Air tanks are equipped to four of the seats so firefighters can easily strap the breathing apparatus to their backs.
In addition to the water and pumping capacity, the truck is geared with a built-in 3,000-watt light tower for better scene viewing especially at night, more hose than any other truck in the fleet, and room for plenty of miscellaneous equipment.
"It gives us one spot to put all of our focused rescue tools. That truck is a toolbox on wheels," Deputy Chief Zinck said.
It also has built-in safety features such as a driving data recorder and seatbelt monitors.
While the department's contingent of 30 firefighters is still training to learn more about the new apparatus, the truck was deemed operational and able to respond to emergency calls as of about three weeks ago.
The vehicle essentially replaces a 1992 Ford rescue unit, which was sold earlier this year to another volunteer fire department in Prince Edward Island at a cost of $15,000.
The rest of Oakhill's fleet includes two other International brands, a 1998 tanker that holds 13,600 litres of water and a 2005 pumper.
The other trucks are a 2000 Ford F550 that disseminates compressed air foam and a 2008 passenger van.
The department responds to an average of 50 to 70 emergency calls per year.