The Village of Pemberton has added a new custom-built fire truck to its fleet, marking the occasion with a nod to firefighting tradition.
Engine 11, custom-designed for Pemberton by Fort Garry Fire Trucks in Manitoba, was officially welcomed into service this month during a “push-in” ceremony at the Pemberton Fire Hall. The tradition dates back to the 1800s, when horse-drawn fire equipment had to be unhitched and pushed into stations by hand.
“Engine 11 was designed with wildfire interface operations in mind and replaces aging 30-year-old equipment that is no longer recognized for maintaining fire insurance ratings in our fire protection area,” Pemberton fire chief Cameron Adams wrote to Pique.
“By adding a few key pieces of equipment and options to a structural response engine, this truck not only provides strong structural firefighting capabilities, but also serves as a highly versatile asset for wildland-urban interface firefighting. Features such as four-wheel drive, pump-and-roll, a hose reel, and a 1,200-U.S.-gallon tank make it a valuable addition that greatly complements our fleet’s structural and wildland response abilities.”
The purchase has been in the works for a while.
In April 2024, council adopted a 20-year loan authorization bylaw to borrow $853,754 from the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia for the purchase of a replacement truck. In June 2024, after seeking the input of voters through an alternative approval process (AAP)—required for loan repayments that run longer than five years—the Village approved the borrowing scheme.
The MFA reviewed and approved the request during its semi-annual general meeting in September 2024.
To help celebrate Engine 11’s arrival, the truck will also carry a new cultural element: a Lil’wat Nation-designed graphic that will be applied to the vehicle. Pemberton Fire Rescue and the Lil’wat Nation are inviting local artists to pitch a two-by-10-foot graphic design that “[honours] our people, our land, and our protectors.”
The contest encourages students to submit designs that celebrate pride, protection and community. For more information on the contest or to submit an entry, contact Grace Clark at [email protected].
