Paraguay firefighters receiving a fire truck from Canada, thanks to the efforts of the Alberta Society for Firefighters Abroad–Project Paraguay and the donation of firefighting vehicles from local fire departments.
ECA Review/Submitted
Kneehill County council showed an altruistic streak at their regular meeting Oct. 24 as they unanimously donated two older fire trucks to a South American nation.
Councillors read a report prepared by Manager of Protective Services Debra Grosfield and presented by Director of Community Services Kevin Gannon that described two firefighting vehicles that reached their retirement age; councillors had the option of auctioning the two vehicles or donating them through a charity to the South American nation of Paraguay.
“In 2020, Kneehill County donated two engines to Alberta Society for Firefighters Abroad (ASFA) – Project Paraguay,” stated Grosfield’s memo to council. “ASFA has a mission to build the capacity and safety of firefighters and emergency services abroad through apparatus, equipment and training projects.
Deliveries were delayed through the pandemic, however, both trucks are now in service in Paraguay.”
Gannon noted the fire trucks showed up safely in Paraguay. “They did receive them and they’re very thankful for that support,” said Gannon.
Grosfield stated councillors must decide the fate of two more vehicles.
“We have two trucks ready to dispose of in 2024: Kneehill County engine in Three Hills fire hall – this is a 2004 engine, reaching its recommended life span for a front-line engine,” she noted in her report. “[Also)] Kneehill County spare engine, housed in county shop. This is the 2001 engine from Acme, Alta. that was used to temporarily go to any of the halls during repairs of other units to ensure a front-line pump engine was in the community for protection during downtime.
“We have mitigated this through new tender replacements having pumping capabilities and can bridge that gap, along with mutual aid partners.”
Gannon noted during discussion staff pondered such as selling the retired vehicles at auction or again donating them to Paraguay.
“To sell the engines in auction with a reserve bid and put monies raised back into our capital equipment plan ,” noted the staff report. “The income from fire trucks over 20 years was anticipated to be higher, as in the past couple years. However, with trucks now back into regular build rotations, that price has again decreased to ‘normal’ disposal prices.
For example, a partner municipality received $14,000 as a sale price for their year 2000 engine.”
The second option was, “To donate the Engines to ASFA. According to ASFA, ‘Paraguay has been our primary base of operations since 2015 and we’re still working with departments down there. That said, if for some reason we don’t find departments in Paraguay that want or can receive the trucks (unlikely) we’d explore other countries to send them to that are similar in need to Paraguay.
“‘The value to these departments is unmeasurable. In most of the cases when we donate these trucks it becomes the one and only fire engine these departments have. We have donated to departments to replace their current apparatus, but when that happens, they either move the truck to second line to bolster their ability to respond, or they donate the truck to a nearby department that doesn’t currently have one.
“As an example, we did send one of the other donated trucks to a department that had one already, but it was a 1950’s vintage truck and quite unreliable so the donation was a significant improvement for them.
“New fire apparatuses aren’t available in Paraguay and even if they were the departments would never be able to fund the purchase of one, so these donations are essentially the difference between being able to respond to fires with an actual fire truck or responding to fires with a modified water tank on the back of a pick-up, or not being able to respond at all.’”
As councillors discussed the issue it was noted pressures affecting firefighting vehicles arising from the pandemic, such as long delivery wait times and high prices, appear to be calming.
Coun. Carrie Fobes asked if Kneehill County gets a tax deduction for donating the trucks; Gannon responded he didn’t know and would look into that.
Coun. Debbie Penner asked how much Kneehill County pays in auction fees; Gannon answered he didn’t know the exact figure but knew they vary depending on the venue.
Coun. Jerry Wittstock asked what equipment is included in a possible donation. Gannon noted he understands the donation is for the truck and connected firefighting equipment but no gear.
It was further noted both trucks in question fully belong to Kneehill County.
Councillors unanimously approved donating them to ASFA.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
