Dawson Creek has approximately 13,000 residents that are served and protected by the Dawson Creek Fire Rescue. The department responds to numerous incidents, including 911 calls, fire suppression, road rescue, hazmat (hazardous materials), confined space entry, rope rescue, and wildland fires. They assist other fire departments when needed.
The fire hall has six bay doors, an office area, radio tower and a solar panel. Though maybe not as impressive as some, the community must be proud of their Fire Department as it is well staffed with 16 Full-Time Firefighters and 8-12 Auxiliary Volunteer Firefighters who maintain nine trucks and other vehicles as well as all equipment.
Following is the department's apparatus lineup:
- 1 fire engine (pumper)
- 1 fire engine (pumper) for rural response
- 1 ladder truck
- 1 tender (tanker)
- 1 Freightliner/Hub 4×4 Rescue truck
- 1 one-ton truck with removable water tank for grass & brush fires, with additional motor vehicle rescue capabilities
- 2 command vehicles
- 1 fire prevention vehicle
This unit,
Rescue 5, is the Freightliner/Hub 4×4 Rescue truck listed above. We can't say much of anything about its vintage beyond the fact that it appears relatively new. One's first thought on seeing
Rescue 5 left outside while the rest of the fleet slumbers indoors is that there simply isn't room enough for it inside. BUT, it is also possible that it is left outside for a good reason - that being that it can be fired up and on the road quicker from outside than from inside, it being, after all, a
First Response Vehicle.