CORNER BROOK — More than 16 months after the funding announcement for a new fire truck in Corner Brook, the fire chief says it is close to going to tender.
In February, Chief Neville Wheaton said the truck's unique design was causing delays in the process of obtaining the truck for which the funding was announced in April 2011. The province is providing approximately $155,000 for the purchase, through a 70/30 cost-sharing agreement with the city.
At the announcement, Wheaton said he hoped to have the truck by last fall. In February the chief said there was issues with getting the proper engine, transmission and powertrain configuration.
This week, he said those "specs" have been determined, and the tenders will be called soon. He would not speculate as to when that will occur.
"I guess we are a little further ahead," he said. "It is now just a matter of getting the tender out, getting in placed in the paper ... I am hesitant to give a timeframe. It is obviously at the top of my priority list."
Council will first have to approve issuing the tender, before it can be released.
In February, Wheaton said he expects four or five major truck manufacturers will have an interest in building the truck.
The tender will be awarded to the manufacturer with the best price/vehicle combination will be awarded the tender. Once awarded, he said it will take approximately nine months to build.
