Chief Kris Olsen talks about the level of automation in PAFD's new truck, unveiled today. (Susan McNeil/paNOW staff)

By Susan McNeil

New Wheels

P.A. Fire Department unveils new truck

May 11, 2022 | 6:00 PM

A newly purchased fire truck will be operational this evening, says the Prince Albert Fire Department.

The truck, which cost about $900,000, was geared up by two platoons of the fire department and is now ready to use, Chief Kris Olsen explained.

The biggest change is the upgraded technology used that automates the truck.

“This might not be the greatest analogy but no one has a typewriter in their house. We now have a laptop and a computer,” said Olsen.

With the upgraded automation, firefighters are freed up when using the truck at a scene and any margin of human error is reduced.

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“What is unique about this truck is the operating system,” Olsen said. “We went with the IDEX SAM system, which is an automated pumping system.”

The entire truck from cameras to how the pump operates and even sirens has now been automated.

City council approved the purchase of the truck in 2020 but tendering and ordering takes time and so, over 400 days later, the truck is now operational.

Olsen said they were fortunate to have ordered when they did as supply chain issues started shortly later and prices have jumped in the interim.

This does not increase the number of trucks available to the department as it replaced Engine 12.

This is the first new truck for the department since 2017.

P.A. Fire maintains two fully-staffed front line apparatus, but they cross staff multiple trucks, which means that if a different truck is needed (like the aerial), the second crew will run those trucks. There are three cross-staffed trucks.

When a new truck arrives, it has bare shelves and the fire department has to transfer all the equipment and make any needed modifications.

The truck was unveiled in a short ceremony attended by some city staff, Mayor Greg Dionne, councillor Dawn Kilmer and members of the P.A. Fire Department.

Mayor Greg Dionne checks out the interior of PA Fire Department’s new engine. (Susan McNeil/paNOW staff)

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow