On hand for the Province’s funding announcement for a new fire pumper for the Bay Roberts fire brigade last week were, starting in the back row, from left: FF Jamie Russell, Deputy Mayor Geoff Seymour, Mayor Walter Yetman, Safety Officer Newman Parsons, FF Hayward Butler, Assistant Chief Glen Bradbury, Training Officer Adam Russell, FF Roy Mercer, Chief Michael Murphy, Public Safety Minister Bernard Davis, FF James Newell, Captain Adam Norman, FF Jordan Power, Councillor Frank Deering, FF Lauren Newell; and in the front row, from left: Councillor Ross Petten, Councillor and FF Silas Badcock, Premier Andrew Furey, MHA Pam Parsons, and Captain Doug Mercer. Olivia Bradbury photo
By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Report
A bevy of provincial politicians were on hand in Bay Roberts last week to announce the town will be among a list of municipalities getting new firefighting equipment.
It fell to Public Safety Minister Bernard Davis to announce that in the case of Bay Roberts, the funding will be for a new pumper truck.
The announcement took place at the Bay Roberts fire station on November 29.
“Bay Roberts is a very efficient department,” said the area’s MHA Pam Parsons.
She said the department does not ask for much, but came to her about needing a new truck. “We’re a team out here in Conception Bay North. It’s not just simply within the borders of Coley’s Point, Bay Roberts, Shearstown, Butlerville. When the call comes in, you respond to CBN,” she said of the Bay Roberts firefighters.
Parsons thanked the members for their hard work, as well as the council for its support and advocacy for the department. Two members of council, Dean Franey and Silas Badcock, are members of the brigade.
Premier Andrew Furey echoed Parsons’ appreciation. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you for keeping our communities safe, and thank you for standing up for the citizens of your communities and putting yourself often in danger to help others,” he said. “Certainly the word hero is not said enough with respect for the work that you guys do.”
Furey said when Parsons came to him with the department’s request, they and Davis worked together to ensure it got immediate attention.
Davis acknowledged the many roles firefighters fill.
“It’s not just fires that you’re fighting,” said Davis. “It’s collisions, medical calls, other emergencies — you’re there. The demands placed on volunteer groups can be overwhelming. To effectively do the job and help protect the community, you need to have the necessary equipment.”
The money for the truck is part of a fund the Province announced the week previous at a press event in Pouch Cove. The money will be shared among 39 fire departments across the province, and with contributions from the towns, will help pay for everything from bunker gear, boots, cylinders, and portable pumps to vehicle extraction tools. In September, Furey announced money to replace over four hundred self-contained breathing apparatus units and other equipment. That too will be cost-shared with the towns.
“You don’t need to be a firefighter to understand how important those breathing apparatuses and equipment are,” said Davis. “It will play a significant role in protecting our friends, our families, and our loved ones.”
Davis said thanks to $2.8 million from the government, 13 communities will receive funding to help them buy new fire protection vehicles. Bay Roberts Fire Rescue will receive approximately $450,000 for the purchase of its new pumper truck.
Fire Chief Michael Murphy offered his thanks for the funding. “I’m sure they’re going to feel the exact same way on how important reliable equipment and vehicles are to provide a fire service,” he added, referring to the other departments.
Murphy said the new equipment and vehicle will make his department’s response time better and serve not only Bay Roberts, but the whole area. He also thanked council. “It’s great to have a council that supports us,” said Murphy.
