Eston Fire Department displays its new truck

By Joan Janzen

Eston & District Fire Department proudly displayed the newest addition to their fleet of trucks at the fairgrounds during Friday’s Summer Bull Bash. Fire Chief Richard Baran reported they had picked up the truck at Swift Current a week earlier. Prior to that, it had been showcased at a Fire Chiefs Conference in North Battleford.

Eston’s new fire truck was on display at the fairgrounds during the Summer Bull Bash on Friday. Work on the truck was performed by the crew at Fort Garry Fire Trucks in Winnipeg. Submitted

“We got the chassis from a dealer in Swift Current, and it was sent from the factory directly to Fort Garry Fire Trucks in Winnipeg, where the work began in February. “We found our own chassis, which made the process go quicker, and delivery time was shortened,” Chief Baran explained. The crew at Winnipeg immediately began to build a Crusader Duster, mounting the fire body for Eston’s new fire truck.

The new truck will serve as a front-line pumper, replacing an older certified pumper, which is still being used to some degree. The fire chief noted that the serviceable and useful unit doesn’t have many “bells and whistles”; nevertheless, it’s valued at around half a million dollars.

“Basically, we fundraised over the years and eventually had enough money to order it,” he explained. “Hats off to the community for supporting the fire department so well.”

On the weekend, the community was able to have a look at the new fire truck and see for themselves the results of all their fundraising efforts.