ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 fire department has been keeping something very special under wraps for the past couple months.

While the latest addition to the truck fleet wonB次元官网网址檛 be fully operational until spring, firefighters are having a hard time hiding their excitement, especially since crews have often had her out of the work bay while they train.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 hoping to have it in service by March,B次元官网网址� said Fire Chief Kerry Smith of the new truck that arrived on Sept. 27, but has spent a lot of time being outfitted with equipment in the service bay. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 new technology compared to our 30-year-old snorkel [truck].B次元官网网址�

The new Rosenbauer Commander T-Rex tower ladder truck has become commonly known as B次元官网网址淭ower 57B次元官网网址� around the hall. Crews have been working hard to get Tower 57 operational, but in the meantime, Smith said, B次元官网网址渋f we were pressed we have some career staff and a few volunteers that could operate it.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e working some of the bugs out of it with the manufacturer,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that it was all part of the warranty process. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 about getting it into service.B次元官网网址�

While the department has been busy mounting equipment, the real reason the new truck wonB次元官网网址檛 be operational until the spring is because of all of the training thatB次元官网网址檚 involved.

That training is also B次元官网网址渢he only way to find out these warranty issues,B次元官网网址� the chief said, noting theyB次元官网网址檝e had some minor problems which will be retested to ensure their validity once fixed.

Department training officer and Assistant Chief Greg Chow said training platforms for the new truck are quite complex due to the electronics and emergency backup systems.

The goal is to get all members accustomed to the systems and fully aware of safety and emergency protocols for the vehicle.

But itB次元官网网址檚 not just new technology that makes Tower 57 stand out.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not the same as everyone else has,B次元官网网址� Chow said. He figured it is the tallest aerial truck on the lower Island, with a working height of 115 feet. The existing truck has a fully extended height of 77 feet.

As Smith said, B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e trying to stay a little ahead of that game.B次元官网网址�

With Colwood council approving high-rise developments in past and more recently, B次元官网网址淲aiting until theyB次元官网网址檙e built and then gearing up for itB次元官网网址� isnB次元官网网址檛 feasible for the department, he said.

Chow noted the new truck isnB次元官网网址檛 just an asset to ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 arsenal, it was purchased with aiding the other West Shore municipalities in mind, since no other neighbouring departments have the same reach.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just an aerial truck B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 dual purpose,B次元官网网址� he said.

Tower 57 has a 250-gallon water tank and can pump 1,750 gallons per minute, making it capable of extinguishing fires at new heights. It is also built with crane technology and can stabilize or lift a small vehicle. Chow said the first boom can support or lift up to 8,800 pounds.

Once crews are trained and Tower 57 is fully operational, the old snorkel truck will be decommissioned and put up for sale, Smith said. B次元官网网址淭o get 30 years out of a piece of equipment is exceptional B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 done its day.B次元官网网址�

Details of the decommissioning havenB次元官网网址檛 been finalized, but Smith said the old truck could end up in operation somewhere else in North America.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com