Espanola council rejects proposal to discontinue use of First Response Fire Vehicle

A motion by an Espanola councillor to eliminate the first response fire vehicle has been rejected.
Councillor Maureen Vanalstine says the vehicle can be eliminated because it is not needed, is an unnecessary expense and that several other communities provide fire services without a first response vehicle.
The truck is used by staff to go to a fire call and assess the situation before the rest of the crew is called out to deal with each incident.
In his report, Acting CAO David King disagrees with Vanalstine’s assessment stating the removal of the vehicle as part of the fleet could endanger the safety of people when a fire occurs.
The discussion lasted about an hour, even grew heated at times, then council went into closed session.
Following that session, the motion was amended that the department will not dispose of the vehicle defeating Vanastine’s push to do so.