AUNDECK OMNI KANING—Members of the Aundeck Omni Kaning (AOK) volunteer fire department turned out to welcome the community’s shiny new fire truck on Saturday, December 2.
“We are grateful that we have had the opportunity to replace our aged fire truck with a new vehicle,” said AOK Chief Patsy Corbiere. “Over the past five years I have completed the First Nations Infrastructure Investment Plan for AOK First Nation and requested a new fire truck for the community.” The chief noted that it has been a long haul, but persistence finally paid off.
“Updated equipment is a priority for AOK First Nation in relation to the safety of our community members and assets,” said the chief. “Chief and council approved new gear for our fire department in 2022 and other supplies to increase the efficiency and safety of our volunteers.”
The First Nation began pressuring the government for the new truck several years ago and were finally approved by Indigenous Services Canada in 2021. Funding for the new truck came in at $885,000, but Chief Corbiere explained that COVID price increases meant the final tally was actually considerably more. “We requested an additional $90,000 and were approved for a top mount pumper and a single axle tanker.” The tanker has yet to arrive.
Parts for the older fire truck were often unavailable, noted Chief Corbiere. “They were either non-existent or we had to wait long periods for the parts.”
Chief Corbiere offered thanks to the neighbouring community of Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands “for providing us with fire services at times when our truck was not operational. I would like to also thank Mutual Aid and our fire chief and volunteers for keeping Manitoulin safe.”
Chief Corbiere also thanked Rod Harris of Carrier Emergency Vehicles for “his excellent service in working with our First Nation throughout the building process of our new equipment.”
Although the new pumper truck has arrived, it will still be some time before it is fully operational, cautioned Chief Corbiere, as the new vehicle still needs a variety of equipment to be attached and training on how to safely use the equipment will be vital to maintaining it in good working order.
