Perth is moving ahead with replacing its aging 2011 Fire Services van, after council approved the purchase of a new unit through a competitive bidding process.
Four proposals were reviewed, with the Fort Garry stock unit selected as the most practical and cost-effective option.
The vehicle comes in at just over $275,000—about $11,000 above the approved budget—due to higher-than-expected inflation and rising vehicle costs across the industry.
Officials say the selected unit meets all operational needs while keeping the budget overrun relatively small.
A higher-priced custom option was passed over due to non-essential features and a significantly higher cost.
As part of a broader fleet strategy, the existing 2011 van will be repurposed into a service-responder rehabilitation and recovery unit, while the Town plans to sell its mobile command trailer.
Staff say the move will improve efficiency, reduce long-term costs, and maintain reliable emergency response service.
Story by Brian Turner
