2022-01-26

Pumper truck loaned to Cumberland County bound for permanent home in Hebbs Cross

The 1996 Volvo pumper truck from Bridgewater that temporarily went to Cumberland County to help first responders there who lost a fire station and equipment in a blaze has a new permanent home with another local volunteer fire service.

The truck, deemed surplus to town volunteer fire department needs, is going to Hebbs Cross. On Jan. 10, civic politicians in Bridgewater endorsed a recommendation to donate the unit to firefighters who serve that Lunenburg County community.

"Those smaller departments just don't have the funds and although it's not recommended for a first-out vehicle, it will add to their protection," commented Bridgewater Coun. Wayne Thorburne, also a former Bridgewater fire chief.

The Hebbs Cross volunteer fire department expressed its gratitude with a message posted on social media. "A big thank you to the Town of Bridgewater for the generous donation," the agency said. "We are proud to give this (truck) a home in our hall. Thanks Mayor (David) Mitchell and the rest of council."

The truck was leased to the Municipality of the District of Cumberland on behalf of the Shinimicas volunteer fire department, which lost its fire station, trucks, and saw much of its gear damaged in a devastating April 2020 blaze. Shinimicas had been depending on loaned items since the incident. The unit, Engine 4, spent nearly a year in the northern part of the province.

Within 14 hours of arriving, the truck was called into action and "performed flawlessly" in mutual aid to a structure fire, the Shinimicas fire service said at the time on social media. "We are so proud to be part of both a province and a public service that, when the chips are down, will always step up to help out others whether they are friends or strangers," the department said at the time.

The loan agreement contains clauses allowing for Bridgewater to recall the truck back to town, if needed. Other provisions deal with insurance, licensing and training, and maintenance and repair.

The pumper returned to town late last year and was put to tender but there were no bids; not even for the minimum asking price of $8,000.

During the Jan. 10 meeting, Bridgewater's chief administrator Tammy Crowder said she contacted the town's chief and deputy fire chiefs to see if there was interest elsewhere. Hebbs Cross expressed a desire for the apparatus and confirmed the apparatus will fit in its fire station.

"They have a vehicle similar to this but it's in very poor condition," Crowder said.

Mitchell said the value of the equipment to Hebbs Cross volunteer firefighters far exceeds any price tag attached to the truck.

"The donation of fire trucks is something that happens across the province when it becomes surplus," he said.

In 2007, for example, Bridgewater gave its aging 1981 Thibault aerial ladder truck to the Nova Scotia Firefighters School in Waverley, Halifax County.

In 2005, Lapland volunteer firefighters gained ownership of Bridgewater's 1975 International King Seagrave pumper via donation.