Training sessions sought in exchange for unwanted fire truck

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Dec 24, 2015 at 1:00 AM
Coldstream hopes to train its volunteer firefighters while disposing of an unwanted vehicle. The district hopes to receive four sessions at the Vernon Fire Training Centre in return for it turning over a 1988 International pumper to the facility. “We don’t want to end up with a truck in the yard doing nothing. It’s better to get something for it,” said Coun. Peter McClean. Each training session is worth about $1,200 but Coun. Glen Taylor isn’t convinced the fire truck is worth four sessions. “Make it a dozen sessions,” he said. While Taylor made that motion, he was unable to get sufficient support from his council colleagues. However, there is the possibility that the fire training centre won’t take Coldstream’s truck. Another jurisdiction has offered a vehicle that has more extensive equipment than Coldstream’s. “There’s a real risk they won’t accept our truck because of opportunities with the other truck,” said Trevor Seibel, chief administrative officer. If the fire training centre doesn’t take the pumper, Coldstream would look to sell the truck on the open market.