The Hanover Fire Department has taken ownership of a new rescue truck for the Grunthal Hall.

Chief Paul Wiebe says the new truck is a twenty-foot walk-in rescue, with seating for eight firefighters as well as other tools and equipment. It was built by Fort Garry Fire Trucks of Winnipeg at a cost of about $383,000.

Wiebe says this truck should last them 25 to 30 years. It replaces their rescue truck that had been built in 2000.

"It didn't meet the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards anymore, we couldn't legally haul anybody in the back," says Wiebe. "This is a really nice upgrade."

The old truck will probably be used by another hall in Hanover for a couple more years before it is sold or retired. Wiebe says that truck was built for that present day and not the future. He notes within about five years of purchasing it, it was already outdated and needed upgrades.

Hanover Reeve Stan Toews says Hanover council has a long-term plan for fire protection. As a result, money is placed in reserves, which down the road is used to fund these sort of costs. Toews notes by providing the municipality with good equipment, fire insurance rates are among the best possible for residents.

"People all save on their fire insurance, they may not realize it but they do," notes Toews. "Because with good equipment we can get that extra rating."

Further to that, he says council wants to make sure firefighters are safe and can do their job properly.

"Our council's been awesome in supporting us in making sure that we keep our equipment and tools up to current standards," notes Wiebe. "It just helps us do our job and to do our job safely. The support we get from council is second to none."