SHUNIAH, Ont. — The Municipality of Shuniah's Fire and Emergency Services department has lost the use of a key member of its fleet for almost two months.
The 2014-model vehicle was taken to a Thunder Bay dealership for recall work in September.
According to the minutes of their last meeting, Shuniah councillors were told "the motor blew up" after the recall work was done.
Fire chief Blair Arthur told Tbnewswatch he's not exactly sure what happened, but the dealership has accepted responsibility for the engine failure "and they're going good on replacing the whole thing."
Arthur said this leaves Shuniah Fire and Emergency Services down one-third of its pumping fleet.
The unit that's out of action was based at the Pearl fire hall, one of three stations in Shuniah.
Until its return, a rescue vehicle has been relocated to Pearl, "just so we can provide medical coverage and some small extrication equipment. They'll respond very quickly there and then we'll follow up" with other resources, Arthur said.
The Shuniah fire service still has access to two pumper trucks, two tankers, the rescue vehicle, and a command vehicle.
Arthur said Shuniah can also call on neighbouring fire services for assistance under a mutual aid agreement.
Those partners include the City of Thunder Bay fire service, and the volunteer fire units in East Gorham, Pass Lake and Dorion.
