New DNVFRS trucks designed for fighting wildfires

District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services can now respond faster to wildfires and rescues in the vast wilderness areas that surround the community.

The fire department recently added three new wildland pickup trucks specifically designed to tackle rugged terrain and allow firefighters to get a jump on dousing fast-moving forest fires.

The four-wheel-drive trucks carry 350 gallons of water and a high-pressure pump.

“These trucks give us the ability to quickly attack a wildfire that’s spreading in areas where the community and forest meet. We want to put it out before the flames threaten homes,” says Chief Brian Hutchinson. “Timely structure protection and defense are key capabilities of these trucks.”

In August, at the request of BC Wildfire Services, the DNVFRS deployed one of the new trucks with a three-person crew to the Cummings Creek wildfire in southeastern BC.

Versatile vehicles 

Although purpose-built to fight wildfires, the trucks are also well-suited for remote, off-road rescues, which frequently occur in a community surrounded by rugged mountain terrain that’s etched with a vast network of hiking and mountain biking trails and fast-moving rivers. Because the trucks can maneuver in any terrain and under any conditions, they can also fill a post-disaster role as a rescue truck, medical support, or initial attack unit.

Last year, over 90 percent of the 105 rescue calls DNVFRS responded to were related to outdoor recreation related mishaps and accidents.

“The trucks have rope rescue equipment and medical gear and allow our crews to reach remote locations that other fire engines cannot,” says Chief Hutchinson. “They will provide valuable support for backcountry search and rescues, and technical trail and water rescues.” 

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