Sarnia's new mobile command centre is hoped to be in service before the end of this year.
The existing vehicle -- which has served the city over 30 years -- was set to be retired in 2022, but the arrival of a new unit is delayed.
Although the contract was awarded in 2021, General Manager of Corporate Services David Stockdale said the fabricators notified them in early 2022 that there were equipment procurement delays as a result of global supply chain issues.
"We were placed in a queue early on, about mid-pandemic," said Stockdale. "We've just been informed recently by the manufacturer that the chassis is available and most importantly the [micro]chips that were required to manufacture all of the onboard equipment are available. So, our machine is in production now."
Stockdale said the new unit will be a full scale communications centre.
"It will come equipped with three pull-out bays, 360 degree cameras, and two separate office spaces. So, I really think this one was specked out well to meet the needs of emergency management for both police and fire locally."
The vehicle is expected to be delivered this fall.
"We got a price of $800,000 during the pandemic before inflation hit a lot of the manufacturing sector," said Stockdale. "We've been able to come to an agreement with the manufacturer that they'll maintain that rate for us."
Most recently, the old command post was set up near Fairwinds Lodge as crews responded to a significant fire at the Michigan Avenue site.
Stockdale confirmed the vehicle had to be towed from the scene.
"I believe that was one of the mechanical issues at the end of life. It was likely a battery issue, which was identified during the drawing up of the specs in 2021 when we went out to market to seek a tender on it."