Haldimand County unveils new aerial truck, donates unused medical equipment to Ukraine

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, the county’s new, state-of-the art aerial truck made a stop out front of the Haldimand County Administration Building. Emergency Services staff provided Council with a tour of the new vehicle and showcased surplus PPE/medical supplies that will be donated to Ukraine.

The new aerial truck was custom-built for Haldimand’s specific needs and will be permanently stationed in Caledonia.

It is equipped with a 107-foot extension ladder that will allow firefighters to get on top of emergencies in more densely populated areas of west Haldimand and enhance their ability to fight fires in tall structures (including barns).

Combined with aerial trucks in Jarvis and Dunnville, the new vehicle will enable the Fire Department to respond with an aerial truck anywhere in the county within ten minutes.

In tandem with Council’s tour of the new truck, Emergency Services staff revealed some of the surplus medical equipment that is being donated to Ukraine. Staff worked to identify key supply needs and ‘matches’ with some of the county’s surplus items.

“The surplus equipment – which includes medical bags, stair chairs and spinal boards – would normally go on the GovDeals.ca auction site and generate a small profit for the County,” said Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s Fire Chief and Manager of Emergency Services.

“The benefit of donating these extra supplies where they’re desperately needed in Ukraine, far outweighs any revenue benefit we would receive. I am proud of our team for coordinating this initiative and know that it will make an impact,” Gallagher continued.

The new aerial truck will go into service in July and medical supplies will be shipped to Ukraine later this month.

For more information about Haldimand County Emergency Services programs and services, visit HaldimandCounty.ca or follow along on Twitter or Instagram (@HaldEmerg).

Above: Haldimand County’s new aerial truck.

Below: Unused medical equipment that will be donated to Ukraine.