The County of Stettler council has approved an outfitting contract for two new brush trucks for Heartland Regional Fire.
During the March 25 council meeting, officials voted to award the upfitting of two 2026 Ford F-550 Crew Cab units to a trio of vendors.
The decision marks the final stage in replacing aging equipment in Donalda & Byemoor, where the current rapid-response units date back to 1994 & 1997.
Including a contingency fund, the total cost for the two units reached $187,695 each, approximately $15,195 over the $172,500 per-unit allocation in the 2025/26 capital budget.
Staff explained the price jump was driven by higher-than-expected industry quotes & the inclusion of specialized front bumpers to protect crews from wildlife collisions.
To complete the conversion, council approved a split-contract approach:
Jomac Welding and Fabrication Ltd. (Red Deer) will provide truck decks & cabinets, while Flash Wildfire Services (Sherwood Park) will install skid tanks & pumps.
Meantime, Jacked Custom Truck Installs Inc. (Red Deer) will handle emergency lighting, decals, & front bumpers.
The new trucks will be deployed to Station 3 in Donalda & Station 4 in Byemoor once the work is completed.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
