The Spartan arrived in Bighorn today (Nov. 6), equipped with improved weaponry to take out the worst of blazes.
The MD of Bighorn welcomed its first “true” fire truck, which has a Spartan chassis specifically designed for fire service.
On Saturday (Nov. 8) at noon, Bighorn will host an open house and barbecue at Exshaw Fire Hall for members of the public interested in checking out the new whip. A demonstration of the truck’s abilities will be weather dependent.
The new truck replaces a 22-year-old commercial cab designed truck that has been used throughout the MD, said Rick Lyster, Bighorn bylaw enforcement/fire safety codes officer, and it will be stationed out of Exshaw Fire Hall.
“It’s really special because it’s our first type of actual real, true fire truck that we’ve had in the MD of Bighorn. It’s going to replace what we call our rescue truck,” Lyster said. “We’re able to get a lot more storage on it, which is important on a rescue truck, because you have to carry a lot more equipment on it. It’s still equipped as a fire pumper, but it needs extra space.”
The truck is able to carry six firefighters (five in the old rescue) and will also have improved safety features for the driver and passengers, such as better ergonomics and visibility, the cab can withstand a 60,000 pound “crush test” and the MD opted for full airbag protection for driver and crew.
The Spartan chassis can turn with a significantly smaller turning radius, in most cases, than the commercial cabs, said Lyster, and is outfitted with Roll Stability Control designed to slow the truck down on turns if it’s moving too quickly.
The budget was approximately $450,000 and the truck is expected to last a minimum of 20 years.
Exshaw Fire Hall has two fire trucks and 22 firefighters on the roster.
Bighorn originally sought the new truck in 2012, but with the flood in 2013, everything was set back. After putting in the order last year, the truck arrived fairly quickly, Lyster said.
