A new fire truck received a warm welcoming at Cumberland House Cree Nation on Tuesday. (Facebook/Prince Albert Grand Council)

By Nigel Maxwell

Handing over the keys

Cumberland House Cree Nation buys fire truck from P.A.

Aug 19, 2020 | 2:00 PM

The residents of Cumberland House and nearby Cumberland House Cree Nation have access to a fire truck, thanks to the City of Prince Albert, and assistance from Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management.

The 2004 fire engine was used by the Prince Albert Fire Department up until the end of last year, and then was put up for sale.

Angus Carriere is the Fire Chief at Cumberland House and told paNOW the fire truck means a lot to the community.

“They will feel safer now that we have a new truck,” he said.

The Cumberland House Fire Department has been long overdue for an upgrade. The truck they were using dates back to 1976, and Carriere explained will continue to be used for servicing the municipality as well as the neighbouring reserve.

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“I would just like to thank Chief Rene Chaboyer and council for purchasing the truck,” Carriere said.

Members of the Cumberland House Fire Department test out the new truck. (Facebook/ Prince Albert Grand Council)

The new truck which will be used for on-reserve structural and wildland fires, and includes the Jaws of Life, was actually bought in June, but remained in Prince Albert until Tuesday, while the First Nation waited for some new equipment to arrive. The truck was delivered by Randy Bair, a member of the Saskatchewan First Nations Emergency Management team, along with Prince Albert Deputy Fire Chief Alex Paul.

“It was excellent to be able to pass on the keys to one of our older units which I think will serve their community well for quite a number of years into the future,” Paul said.

Prince Albert Deputy Fire Chief Alex Paul with Cumberland House Cree Nation Chief Rene Chaboyer. (Facebook/ Prince Albert Grand Council)

The Cumberland House Fire Department is current renting a building in the municipality, a seven-minute drive away from the First Nation, but Carrier told paNOW future plans include the construction of a fire hall on the reserve.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell