The Canada Day long weekend will be special for the community of Archerwill, Saskatchewan, a village of about 150 people located about 300 kilometres east of Saskatoon.
She will receive a nice gift – a fire truck – from the rural community of Shinimicas, Nova Scotia.
When Matthew MundleShinimicas Fire Chief, knew that a rural Saskatchewan fire department had lost everything in a fire, he knew his department had to do something.
For him, the solution was to donate a fire truck.
Donation of a pumper
Matthew Mundle knows how devastating the loss of firefighting equipment can be to a small community. Its fire station in Cumberland burned in 2020, resulting in the destruction of three fire trucks.
After the fire, his department purchased a used pumper and borrowed enough equipment to survive.
It was decided earlier this year that the used pumper was no longer needed, so it was put up for sale.
However, plans changed when he learned of Archerwill’s fate.
We presented it at a meeting with the members. The proposal was that we no longer sell the pumper and that Archerville can have it
has indicated Matthew Mundlewho was put in contact with Steven Christianson, the fire chief ofArcherwill.
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The pumper truck was loaded onto a trailer before heading to Saskatchewan.
Photo: Courtesy: Shinimicas Fire Department
On Friday, the fire truck was loaded onto a transport vehicle in Nova Scotia to begin its 4,000-kilometre journey.
It should arrive Tuesday or Wednesday.
A beautiful solidarity
Steven Christianson mentioned that when he first talked about the truck with Matthew Mundlehe was a little overwhelmed, but not surprised. He added that fire departments around the world are quick to respond when needed.
But it was really comforting that it happened to us. And since we were so far away, it was a little surreal to think that it was actually going to happen.
He said Archerwill Barracks had already replaced two vehicles and the third would be a full complement.
The barracks ofArcherwilit burned down in February, but the new fire station is about 50 percent complete. It could be ready to receive trucks in three weeks.
Blown away by the generosity
Wayne Blackthe leader of the rural municipality of Barrier Valleyindicated that the community was simply blown away by the generosity of this fire department
.
He said the municipality learned about a week ago that a trucking company transporting heavy equipment from Nova Scotia had space on board.
Arrangements have been made for the fire truck to take this delivery, which would result in considerable savings, he said.
The spirit of cooperation is not dead in Canada
he rejoices.
When you have a fire department across the country responding to a situation that is very serious to us and stepping up to make this kind of donation, it really renews our faith in humanity.
According to a report by Vernon Ramesar, of CBC
