(Melfort Fire & Rescue/Facebook)

By Cam Lee

New fire truck in Melfort

Melfort Fire Department adds to fleet of trucks

Apr 15, 2025 | 4:15 PM

The Melfort Fire Department (MFD) has welcomed a new fire truck to its fleet.

The 2025 Freightliner was custom-built by Fort Garry Fire Trucks of Winnipeg.

Engine 221 will now become the department’s initial attack engine, replacing the 1995 Ford Superior.

Fire Chief Leonard Whitney told northeastNOW the front bumper has the cross lay hose lines, rather than the crew having to drag them from the top of the truck.

“Now they’re in the front bumper, they’re very easy to access from the ground, easier to get at, easier to pack,” Whitney said.

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The previous vehicle had been in use for many years and Whitney said the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency and other fire standards agencies encourage replacing trucks within 25 years.

Fire department members and their families performed the ceremonial Push-In over the weekend, but the engine has actually been in use already. Whitney said the engine was sent out on one call days before the ceremony and performed well.

“There’s little quirks with every new piece of equipment, so we’re just working through that,” explained Whitney. “You’ll see it out in the community probably a fair bit here with the guys training on it just to get more comfortable with it.”

Whitney said it’s important for new equipment to be introduced to the Melfort Fire Department on an ongoing basis. He thanked the City of Melfort, city council, and others for the equipment that they have.

“Lots of other departments aren’t lucky enough to get the equipment that we get, but at the end of the day it’s all to help keep Melfort safe.”

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com