The Castlegar Rotary Club will sponsor the city’s fire department for up to $60,000 to buy a utility terrain vehicle.
Fire chief Sam Lattanzio told city council this month that Rotary approached them, asking what equipment they could use help buying.
Lattanzio and his staff narrowed the choices to a UTV, sprinkler protection unit, or self-contained breathing apparatus cleaner, some of which was not expected to be purchased until 2028.
After discussions with the club, they voted unanimously in favor of the UTV.
Lattanzio explains the vehicle would allow firefighters to take a wildfire skid unit and rescue basket into difficult-to-reach areas, including along trails and train tracks.
He noted they could have used it this month month in a wildfire at Fairview that came up the bank from the Columbia River.1