New truck could save Kelowna Fire Department in fuel costs

The Kelowna Fire Department will be the first in the country to use a new fire engine that saves fuel.

The Rosenbauer fire truck has technology that allows crews to operate equipment without needing to keep the truck idling to generate electricity.

Rather than having to keep the engine’s motor running, which is the case when pumping water to fight a fire, the truck has a 15-horsepower generator to run emergency lights and other electrical tools.

The $7,000 installation of the anti-idling technology will allow the fire department to save money on fuel costs.

Its cost is projected to be recovered within the first five to seven years; a typical fire engine lasts 15 years.

A Wyoming Fire Department using the same technology recorded fuel savings of just under $2,000 for 2010.