Our Apparatus

Gravenhurst's traffic lights are currently being modified by the District of Muskoka to include Opticom system traffic pre-emption. The system works by receiving a special coded signal from a light on the fire truck. It then pre-empts the normal light pattern to give a green light to the responding fire trucks. Currently the traffic signals at Muskoka/James, North Muldrew/Bay and the pedestrian crosswalk at Boston Pizza are outfitted with Opticom. There are more to come in the next few months with completion of the program in expected in 2010.

Move Over or Pay Up

The Ontario Highway Traffic Act states that motorists have to slow down and move to a lane furthest from the parked emergency vehicle on the side of a road in an attempt to protect police, ambulance, and firefighters. This will protect emergency personnel from being hit from behind by approaching vehicles while tending to emergency calls. The legislation will apply to all stopped vehicles with flashing red lights, excluding school buses.

Those convicted of disobeying the law will be fined a minimum of $400 and a maximum of $2,000 for a first offence, depending on the seriousness of the offence. For second and subsequent convictions, the fine is a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $4,000, six months in jail, or both a fine and jail sentence. All convictions will result in the addition of three demerit points to a driver's record. The court can also suspend a motorist's driver's license for up to two years.

Stop, Drop and Roll

Everyone must know what to do if their clothing catches fire. The best way to smother flames is to stop, drop and roll. Your reaction must be immediate. Never try to run because the flames will become more intense.

You must stop and immediately drop to the floor, and roll over and over to smother the flames. This may be difficult to do if you have some physical limitations, but is is crucial that you manage to lower yourself to the ground as quickly as possible. If you can't lower yourself to the ground, then a large towel or blanket can be used to smother the flames on your clothing.

If someone else's clothing is on fire, get them on the floor and smother the flames with a coat, blanket or rug.

Our Apparatus

Unit One is a 2008 Pierce Saber Custom Engine built by Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin. Diesel powered by a Cummins 330hp engine with an Allison automatic transmission. Unit One is front-line at Station One and seats six firefighters. It has a Hale 1050 IGPM pump and carries 500 IG of water in its booster tank. Unit One is outfitted for general firefighting duties and carries a 35' extension ladder, 12' roof ladder and 10' folding ladder. She also has 800' of 4" supply hose, 800' of 2-1/2" hose and 1,200' of 1-1/2" hose. The cab is equipped with a thermal imaging camera and 110 VAC inverter.
Unit Two is a 2004 Engine built by E-One/Superior in Red Deer, Alberta. Unit 2 has a Hale 1050 igpm pump and 600 imperial gallon water tank. It has a three-man cab and serves front-line duty at Station Three. It responds to all alarms in the Station Three coverage area. Like Unit One, it is equipped for general firefighting duties and similar equipment like Unit One. Unlike Unit One however, Unit Two rescue-style compartments along both sides to carry the turnout gear for the station's firefighters, as well as the firefighting equipment. During the winter season Unit Two is equipped with the Ice Water Rescue equipment for rescuing people who have gone through the ice on area lakes. Unit Two has a 300hp diesel engine and a hydraulically operated ladder rack. It is built on an International 4400 conventional cab chassis and seats three.
Unit Three is a Engine/Rescue built by Superior Emergency Equipment in Red Deer, Alberta. On a 2001 Freightliner FL80 chassis, Unit Three has a Hale 1050 igpm pump and 1000 imperial gallon water tank. Outfitted with a five-man cab, Unit Three is the largest in the department's fleet and is currently serving as second-line pump and front-line as the department's rescue unit from Station One. In addition to structural firefighting equipment, Unit Three also carries a multitude of rescue equipment including the HURST Jaws of Life, including hydraulic spreaders, cutters and rams.
Unit Four was built in 1995 by Fort Garry Industries in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Unit Four is a 1995 Engine built on a Volvo FE diesel chassis. It has a single-stage centrifugal pump capable of pumping 1,050 imperial gallons (5,000 litres) per minute. Unit Four serves front-line at Station Two and is also equipped with a five-man cab and high-sides compartments. It responds to all alarms in the Station Two coverage area. 700 imperial gallons of water fills its booster tank.
Unit Five is a 1997 Water Tanker built by C-Max in St. Jacobs, Ontario. Comprising a 1997 Volvo FE diesel powered chassis and a 1,500 gallon (6,400 litre) tank, Unit Five does water shuttle duty for all three stations from Station One. It has a 425 gallon (1,930 litre) per minute power take-off pump for transfering it's water load or for fighting grass and bush fires.
Unit Six responds to all alarms in the Station One coverage area. it transports all the firefighter's turn-out gear and equipment to all incidents. This includes tarps and smoke ejectors for salvage operations. It is also equipped as a Command Unit. Built in 1992 by Grumman on a General Motors chassis, Unit Six is gas powered.
Unit Seven is a 1987 Engine built by Superior Emergency Equipment in Red Deer, Alberta. After servng stints as the front-line engine and engine/rescue at Station One for the past 21 years, Unit Seven now serves as the reserve pumper for the department and is quartered at Station Two. This role includes being used as a fill-site pumper during fires in the rural area. Unit Seven has a 1,050 gallon per minute single-stage centrifugal pump and a 500 gallon booster tank. Unit Seven is diesel powered on a Ford Chassis with an automatic transmission and is outfitted for general and structural firefighting details.
Unit Eight is a 2009 Pierce Contender tanker on a custom Saber chassis. She carries 1,700 imperial gallons of water and seats four firefighters. She has a 425 igpm pto pump for firefighting at grass and bush fires or for transfering water. It is equipped with a 10" dump valve on the rear that can discharge the entire load in under two minutes. The rear of Unit 8 is covered in a reflective chevron pattern complete with a large lighted arrow that serves to move traffic when it is used as a "blocker" truck at vehicle fires and accidents on our highways. Unit Eight responds from Station One.
Unit Nine is a 1985 Ford 4x4 pickup truck fitted with forest bush fire equipment during the summer months and is outfitted for Ice Water Rescue in the winter. This equipment can be removed quickly for conversion back to a pickup truck that can be used for a variety of support purposes at other incidents. Unit Nine is quartered at Station One and responds to incidents throughout the entire municipality. And yes she's yellow. In a previous life, Unit Nine was a crash/fire truck with Transport Canada, in service at Muskoka Airport.