Kneehill County is due to replace two bush buggies in their fire service area.
The Carbon Fire Department bush buggy was due to be replaced in 2023 and the Three Hills bush buggy is scheduled for replacement in 2024.
Protective Services Manager Debra Grosfield explains that current bush buggies in the County are different because each individual department had its own truck built to align with the department’s needs. Five-year fire agreements were negotiated with the villages and the Town of Three Hills on capital purchases in 2020-2024. Some of the department’s bush buggies are owned by the villages, while other are already owned by the county. Linden does not have a bush buggy.
As part of that agreement, bush buggies are to be replaced by Kneehill County as the grass fires largely occur within the county. From 2021-2023 there were 138 outside/grass fires in the county, while there were 25 in the urban areas.
The county explored a few different options for bush buggies that varied in capacity, ground clearance, and storage. They ranged in price from $320,000 to $470,000. These trucks are modular, and components can be replaced without dismantling the entire truck. Going forward the County hopes to standardize these new units.
Administration recommends a Type 6 bush buggy. This would have dual pumps, better capacity and is set up to use a larger diameter hose. This comes in at $390,000.
Council approved a motion to purchase the Type 6 Bush Buggies for Carbon and Three Hills at a cost of $390,000 each in the 2025 Budget, with funds from the Captial equipment reserve.
