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Rural fire department near Nanaimo says thanks for new tank

Business donates new portable water tank to Extension Volunteer Fire Department
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Extension Volunteer Fire Department was presented with a new portable water tank from Inter-Kraft Contracting on Thursday, April 21. On hand for the presentation were firefighters Adison Eldridge, left, Jason Devisser and chief Kevin Young, Inter-Kraft welder and metal fabricator Blaine Richards, president and manager John Loehr and project coordinator Kevin McCarthy, and firefighters Tom Reid and Brandon Britt. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Extension Volunteer Fire Department is less likely to face a water shortage at future fires, thanks to a donation of a 10,000-litre portable water tank.

The Extension-based welding and metal fabrication company Inter-Kraft Contracting presented Extension volunteer firefighters with the new tank. The total value of the donation, including purchase price and shipping, is $2,000.

Portable water tanks are used by rural fire departments in areas lacking city water supplies and hydrants and are deployed as water reservoirs that firetrucks draw water from to fight fires as water tender trucks continually relay water to refill the tanks during firefighting operations. Extension VFD has a limited number of fire hydrants in its fire protection area and is heavily dependent on the devices.

The new portable water tank, presented to Extension VFD on Thursday, April 21, will complement another tank the department already uses. It will double the water capacity available on fire scenes and allow the fire department to have a portable tank on each of its two main fire trucks.

John Loehr, president and manager of Inter-Kraft Contracting, said the company has an association with Extension VFD that includes nearly 50 years of donations and support.

Kevin Young, Extension Volunteer Fire Department chief expressed gratitude to Inter-Kraft Contracting for its generosity that he said would benefit both the fire department and the residents of the fire protection area.

“This will be a valuable asset for years to come for our community,” Young said in a press release.



photos@nanaimobulletin.com

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