Fire department expenditure approved by Powell River Council

City of Powell River Council has approved a $110,000 expenditure for a self-contained breathing apparatus fill station for Powell River Fire Rescue.

At a September 12 meeting, councillors were presented a recommendation that the money be funded from the city’s vehicle and equipment reserve.

Councillor Trina Isakson asked if this apparatus was in the city’s capital plan for a future year, and if so, she was wondering what that year is. Chief financial officer Mallory Denniston said she would have to look up that detail.

Isakson said the staff report was clear on why the apparatus is needed, so she supported the recommendation.

Councillor Cindy Elliott said she was curious if replacement of the apparatus was something planned.

“Obviously, it’s a necessary piece of equipment and we were probably expecting to have to replace it at some point, but I am in favour of providing it for our fire department,” added Elliott.

Councillor George Doubt asked how much space this new piece of equipment takes up, and would it be going into the existing Westview fire hall.

“Is it taking up space that is already used by similar equipment?” asked Doubt.

Fire chief Martin Drakeley said the compressor at the fire hall has failed.

“There was a serious mechanical failure,” said Drakeley. “We were able to repair it temporarily and it is at the limit of its lifespan. It [the new one] is the same size as the one that is currently there.”

Council unanimously carried a motion for the expenditure.

According to a staff report, the fill station and compressor are critical components for maintaining air supply in the breathing cylinders used by firefighters when entering smoke-filled atmospheres or during other emergency operations. The report indicated the current system is more than 20 years old and has reached the end of its operational life and is no longer reliable.

“Frequent breakdowns, increased maintenance costs and the inability to get parts are posing a significant risk to the department’s ability to ensure firefighter safety and effective emergency response,” the report stated. “During the last breakdown, the fire department used the neighbouring Malaspina Volunteer Fire Department’s system to ensure cylinders could be filled in an emergency.”

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