City of Langford donates fire truck to Malahat Fire Department

Apr. 3, 2024, Duncan, B.C. – The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) and the City of Langford have donated a fire truck that will support the Malahat Volunteer Fire Rescue Service.

The freightliner fire truck was relocated to the Malahat Fire Hall this week and has been in use by the Langford Fire Department since 2004 at their Station 3 fire hall. With the purchase of a new dual-purpose fire engine, the truck was slated to go into ‘reserve’ status for the next several years. Rather than see it sit idle, Langford recognized another fire department could make better use of it for the duration of its life.

“This is a lightly used vehicle and in great shape to meet the needs of the Malahat Fire Department over the next few years,” said Chris Aubey, Fire Chief, Langford Fire Rescue. “We’re happy to have it stay in use locally, and it will also provide reciprocal support for Langford as Malahat is one of our mutual aid fire departments.”

Members of the Malahat Fire Rescue knew the history and condition of the truck, and jumped at the opportunity to bring it up the mountain. In addition to adding another vehicle to its fleet, ‘Engine 2’ adds considerable capacity for Malahat to respond to Motor Vehicle Incidents on Highway 1, which accounts for a bulk of the calls they respond to.

“We were already looking for a replacement truck so the timing of this donation couldn’t be better,” said Tanya Patterson, Fire Chief of Malahat Volunteer Fire & Rescue. “This truck allows us to have five members aboard, as well as our important tools like water and jaws of life, so we’re better equipped when we arrive on site. It’s also laid out the same as our existing truck, so it will be much easier for training our members.”

The donation of fire trucks and equipment is a common practice for fire departments in British Columbia. Fire-fighting assets often reach their expiration while still in fine condition, and are donated to smaller and less-resourced departments in the province, or to Central and South American countries where they still have value for emergency response.

“The City of Langford is delighted to partner with the incredible volunteers at Malahat Fire Rescue,” said Scott Goodmanson, City of Langford Mayor. “This collaboration will better equip their team for emergencies and increase capacity to keep the community safe.”

The Cowichan region also recently received $375,000 from the Province of B.C.’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund, with $210,000 earmarked for new equipment and training for fire departments in North Oyster, Malahat, Mesachie Lake, Sahtlam, Honeymoon Bay, Youbou, and Caycuse.

“On behalf of our volunteer members and the whole community, I want to express our gratitude for this donation that will improve their ability to protect property and save lives,” said Kate Segall, Director of Electoral Area A – Mill Bay/Malahat and Vice Chair of the Cowichan Valley Regional District. “This is a wonderful example of how local governments can collaborate and share resources to save costs and improve services for residents of Vancouver Island.”