New Equipment as Terrace Bay Fire/Emergency Services Modernizes
Pictured are Terrace Bay Fire and Emergency Services’ new Support unit, Mobile Command Post and Rescue UTV fitted with its winter tracks. Photos courtesy TBFES
TERRACE BAY, ON – In early 2010, members and staff of the Terrace Bay Fire Department brought forth the importance of branching off into other areas of emergency services other than firefighting and vehicle extrication.
“We have come to the realization that as our world changes so to should we.” said Ryan Bolan, Terrace Bay Fire Department’s Deputy Fire Chief. Bolan went on to say that, “As a department, we need to remain current and up-to-date. The fact that we live in such a secluded area of the province, where equipment and personnel has to come from either Thunder Bay or as far as Southern Ontario in certain emergencies has made us realize that being more equipped and properly trained would be beneficial for Terrace Bay and area. This would also give people who reside in the area ‘piece of mind’ knowing that if faced with a life threatening situation, help is only a short distance away.
The fire department formed a committee focused on finding information on such a vehicle and what the steps were for going ahead with funding approvals to purchase what was needed. The committee discussed the lack of a unit specialized for both bush fires and search and rescue. The department felt that they needed something that can get them into places where their current emergency vehicles cannot access due to size restrictions.
“The committee agreed on a 2010 Arctic Cat Prowler side-by-side.” said Bolan, adding that “We discussed the safety advantages and cargo capacity of a side-by-side compared to a regular quad (aka four-wheeler) or four runner and determined that the side-by-side far outweighed a standard four runner in safety and payload. The side-by-side also is equipped with a roll cage, safety belts and a cargo box where as the quad or four runner is not.”
The department also needed something to tow the UTV around so they purchased a 20ft x 8ft Interstate 1 fully enclosed trailer that will double a mobile command post. The trailer is equipped with cupboards and storage up front, full lighting, windows, hardwired for 30 amp electrical service and outside lighting. They will be installing radio communication inside the trailer as well as other items that a mobile command post would be fitted with.
Bolan explained that “Our Committee, along with the fire department, feels that we can better serve the Township of Terrace Bay and surrounding area by enhancing and diversifying our emergency services. This would increase our ability to provide more advanced mutual aid services to the Townships of Schreiber and Marathon. This piece of equipment would also allow us to further expand our current services with the
- Ministry of Natural Resources,
- Superior North EMS,
- Ontario Power Generation,
- Emergency Measures Organization,
- Ontario Provincial Police
- CP Rail.”
Fundraising for the Unit
The Fire Fighter’s Association has always been very involved in fundraising through dances, nevada ticket sales, penny auctions, and gift card raffles from Terrace Bay Shell, Home Hardware and Costa’s Foods. Annual earnings from all ticket sales, raffles, and gift cards come in at around $3000.00. The Association had roughly $6500 in the account when this endevour took off.
The fire department, along with Terrace Bay’s Special Project’s Coordinator Sean Irwin, applied for Joint Emergency Preparedness Program (JEPP) Funding. The JEPP is a national program initiated by the federal government in 1980 and designed to enhance national emergency response capability. The aim of the program is to establish a uniform level of emergency management across the country. It is a joint undertaking between the federal government, the provinces / territories and is administered at the federal level by Public Safety Canada (PSC). Successful candiates of JEPP funding agree to pay 55% of the cost of their project while JEPP pays 45% With approval from Mayor and Council, the department was given the go-ahead with the project as long as the funding was approved.
In Fall of 2010 the Terrace Bay Fire Department was awarded the funding and the unit’s were purchased. The Mayor and council also agreed to replace the fire department’s aging support vehicle and with the funding from the fire department’s MTO revenue, a 2011 Cheverolet Silverado was purchased and retrofitted into a support unit. This unit comes in handing when extra supplies and manpower is needed.
The department would like to thank Mayor Michael King, Council, CAO Carmelo Notarbartolo, Treasurer Stan Spadoni, CDS Dean Main and all Township employees for their unwavering support throughout this exciting adventure. We would also like to thank Sean Irwin for his huge part in filling out the application for JEPP Funding. We cannot forget to also thank the industries and businesses who generously donated to this wonderful cause including;
- Inmet Mining,
- Terrace Bay Shell,
- Bumper 2 Bumper,
- Subway,
- Home Hardware,
- The Print Shop,
- Canada Brokerlink
and many others who have contributed throughtout the years. Finally, a huge thank you to the people of Terrace Bay, Schreiber and surrounding area. This project may have never happened if it was not for your amazing support and generosity.” Bolan finished by saying that, “As the world evolves, so have the expectations of local emergency services. Our department and committee strongly believed that evolving is extremely critical and the services that we provide should not end at fighting fires.”
