North Battleford Fire Department launches new pumper truck into service with traditional ceremony

The start a new tradition for the North Battleford Fire Department marked the implementation of a new pumper truck into the squad’s fleet of vehicles on Friday afternoon.

A “wetdown” and “pushing-in” ceremony, with assistance from local first responders, City Council, and City Administration kicked off the inaugural shift for the new truck.

Just as it sounds, the ceremonial wetdown involved a blast of water from Engine 22, the aging pumper truck that is now replaced, to anoint the new vehicle. Guests and firefighters then took part in the push-in ceremony – and pushed the new vehicle into the fire department bay.

“The new pumper truck has been a long time coming,” commented Director of Protective Services and North Battleford Fire Chief, Lindsay Holm. “It was really nice that our Deputy Chief Perry suggested this special ceremony. We haven’t had a lot of tradition in the Department so hopefully this changes that. It’s really a bonding experience for our firefighters and an opportunity to celebrate the City’s significant investment in enhanced protection for our community.”

The event kicked off with a bagpiping ceremony featuring Jim Ramsay, while Elder Alvin Baptiste smudged the new fire truck, bringing a blessing and praying for the safety of first responders and community members.

In August of 2021, City Council approved the purchase of the new pumper truck at a cost of $761,000, with the expectation that it will remain in the City’s firefighting fleet for the next two decades of service.

The truck was manufactured at Rocky Mountain Phoenix and increases the reliability of the Fire Department’s fleet vehicles, lowers its maintenance costs, and improves overall firefighting capabilities. The new pumper truck officially went into service on March 10, 2023.

For more information:

Candace Toma, Public & Intergovernmental Relations Coordinator
306-441-0713 | publicrelations@cityofnb.ca

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