The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has approved the expenditure of up to $110,000 from the Federal Gas Tax Community Works Fund to go towards the purchase of a new fire truck for the Little Fort Volunteer Fire Department.
The funding will help the organization, which is operated by the Little Fort Volunteer Fire Department Association, replace its 1977 Chevrolet C65 Tender fire truck with a more fuel-efficient model.
“The money is going to great use as it will reduce fuel costs for the Little Fort Volunteer Fire Department, and using less gas will go a long way to helping the environment, too,” said Bill Kershaw, Electoral Area “O” (Lower North Thompson) director.
The TNRD has also approved the expenditure of up to $20,000 from the same fund to go towards the purchase of a new truck for the Clearwater and District Highway Rescue Society. The funding will help the organization, which provides highway rescue services for the District of Clearwater as well as Electoral Areas “A” (Wells Gray Country) and “B” (Thompson Headwaters), replace its 1992 Ford rescue truck with a more fuel-efficient model.
The Society had $115,000 in reserves to purchase a replacement vehicle, but with a new truck valued at $153,000, it had asked for funding assistance from the District of Clearwater and the TNRD. The District of Clearwater has already approved $20,000 from its Federal Gas Tax funding allotment.
Both fire truck upgrades fall under the Community Energy Systems — Fleet Vehicle Conversion category of the Gas Tax Agreement.
To date, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has approved $2.9 million for 71 projects under the Federal Gas Tax Fund, which provides funding in support of municipal infrastructure upgrades that contribute to cleaner air, cleaner water and reduced greenhouse-gas emissions.