Bay de Grave fire brigade to get long awaited tanker truck

By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Olivia Bradbury

After years of lobbying, the Bay de Grave Regional Fire Department is finally getting a new tanker truck.

Funding for the truck was announced at the fire hall in South River on August 20 by the area’s MHA, Justice Minister Helen Conway-Ottenheimer, and Forestry Minister Pleaman Forsey. The pair brought funding news for other departments in the region as well.

Forsey thanked the Bay de Grave firefighters for their service.

“As volunteer firefighters, you’re always pitching in when needed, and helping to make our community better,” he said, noting that the department supports the community in good times and protects it during the bad.

Forsey said the provincial government wanted to ensure the department was well-equipped to protect the safety of the community. “You need tools,” he said. “Tools and equipment to carry out your duties before, after, and during any event.”

Forsey then announced $600,000 for a two-door tanker truck.

Some $9,000 is going towards equipment for the Conception Harbour Volunteer Fire Department, he added, as well as over $5,000 for equipment for the Harbour Main-Chapel’s Cove-Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department.

“This funding is a cost-shared contribution between the provincial government and the associated municipalities,” said the minister.

Forsey noted Budget 2026 provides more than $7 million to help fire departments acquire equipment, supplies, and training. He said similar funding announcements would be made in other districts in the following weeks.

“The show of support from fire departments throughout Newfoundland and Labrador during the Kingston wildfires is a true testament to the generosity and community care of our province’s residents,” said Forsey.

Conway-Ottenheimer said getting a new truck for the Bay de Grave Fire Department has been a priority of hers since she was first elected. She said various members of the department, including Chief Jim Edmunds, have been lobbying for a new vehicle for many years.

“It’s so welcome to see this investment,” said Conway-Ottenheimer. “It’s well-needed. It’s going to benefit so many people in the community that Bay de Grave Fire Department serves, which is Cupids, Makinsons, Clarke’s Beach, South River and North River. It also serves part of the Veterans Memorial Highway as well as the Trans-Canada Highway.”

Conway-Ottenheimer said it was an emotional day for the department, the residents, and for her. She said over the years she had witnessed the firefighters’ sacrifice and dedication in keeping their communities safe and making them better.

“I know what they do and I know what this would mean to them,” Conway-Ottenheimer said. “And I know what it’s going to mean to the residents of the district of Harbour Main and the surrounding areas.”

Chief Edmunds said he felt emotional too.

“I think it’s a very important day for this region,” he added. “Bay de Grave has been here for some years now and we’ve been providing mutual support to our neighbouring stations. And if you live in this area here there’s not many hydrants, so one of the biggest issues we have is water.”

The new tanker, he said, will help with that problem.

Edmunds noted that access to water was one of the biggest problems they had when dealing with last year’s forest fires, with the government having to use their own water trucks to transport water at points. Edmunds said it would have been much more efficient if the department had had its own tanker, so the new truck will be a valuable tool.

According to Edmunds, the public’s appreciation for the fire service changed amazingly after last year’s wildfires. The Bay de Grave department, which sent members to help fight the fires, received a lot of support. “They finally realized how important the fire department was,” he said.

Edmunds asked that anyone interested in joining the Bay de Grave Regional Fire Department come to the fire hall for a meet and greet and sit in on a training night to get an idea of what the members do. Potential members must fill out an application form and get a medical exam. If they are deemed fit to be a firefighter, the department will review them and consider taking them on.