Chatham-Kent taxpayers are off the hook for a $25,000 upgrade to a local fire truck, thanks to a donation from Hydro One Energizing Life Community Fund.
Hydro One announced Monday that Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue (CKFR) was one of 25 organizations to receive a $25,000 grant.
"This is the third year in a row that the fund will support community-led initiatives that promote physical, emotional, and psychological safety and well-being for Ontarians," read a media release from the municipality. "CKFR is proud to receive this funding, which will be used to rebuild our central command unit."
The department will be using an existing fire truck and repurposing it.
According to CKFR Public Educator Whitney Burk, command units are specially designed vehicles that act as a forward command and control points.
"It is sent to the scene of larger scale or prolonged incidents, where extra command support is required," said Burk. "They also provide firefighters, officers and our emergency partners protection from elements as well as the ability to provide decontamination as part of our ongoing cancer prevention strategy."
According to Fire Chief Chris Case, the command unit is the only truck engaged to protect our firefighters and partners.
“The new incident command unit will be used across CK to support all of our 19 fire stations," said Case.
