For several years the Municipality of Cumberland has invested millions of dollars in its rural fire departments to better protect local communities.
The latest addition to the fleet of fire vehicles was finalized on Monday, July 20, 2026, with the arrival of a 2026 Freightliner/Fort Garry four-man crown pumper tanker for the Pugwash Fire Department.
The truck, built in Winnipeg, Man. by Fort Garry Fire Trucks, replaces a 26-year-old pumper truck.
Chief Alex Mundle accepted the keys from Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy and District 3 Coun. Jennifer Houghtaling and members of the fire department ‘ceremoniously’ pushed the old pumper out of the fire hall and the new one in.
Municipal council approved the purchase of the pumper truck in February 2025 at a cost of just over $788,000.
“This new vehicle is another important investment in the safety of the residents of Pugwash and the surrounding communities,” Mayor Gilroy said. “It also ensures our volunteer firefighters have the reliable, modern apparatus they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Pugwash Fire Department Chief Alex Mundle (second left) accepts the keys to a 2026 Freightliner/Fort Garry four-man crown pumper tanker from Municipality of Cumberland Mayor Rod Gilroy while municipal fire services manager Kendell Spence and District 3 Coun. Jennifer Houghtaling look on.
Allen Cole, the Director of Protective Services for the municipality, said the investment reflects council’s ongoing commitment to strengthening fire protection across the region.
“Our volunteer fire departments are the backbone of emergency response in our rural communities and we will continue to support them by investing in the equipment and resources they need to protect lives, property and our communities for years to come,” Cole said.
Earlier this year, the Parrsboro Fire Department took possession of a 2026 F-550 walk-around rescue truck. It includes slide-out trays on both sides, making it easier for firefighters to access equipment during emergencies. It replaces a 1994 Freightliner rescue vehicle.
Last fall, the Tidnish Bridge Volunteer Fire Department received a 2024 Ford F-550 rescue vehicle that has improved the department’s ability to respond to emergencies along the Northumberland Strait.
Recent investments have also included F550 rescue trucks for the Westchester and Truemanville fire departments and a new pumper truck for Wallace. Advocate Harbour’s fire department received a light rescue vehicle.
The Springhill Fire Department is receiving a new pumper truck in 2027 and in June, council approved the purchase a new pumper truck for the Advocate Fire Department as part of the 2026-27 capital budget. Also planned is a F550 rescue truck for Wentworth.
Members of the Pugwash Fire Department stand in front of the new vehicle with Allen Cole, Director of Protective Services; Kendell Spence, Fire Services Manager; Coun. Jennifer Houghtaling and Mayor Rod Gilroy.
“All our apparatus (trucks) will be identical in future, which means that all the controls will be same,” Cole said. “This is important because every fire call is a mutual aid call and crews from different departments need to be able to use each others equipment and apparatus to make firefighting more efficient and safe for the crews.”
The last year has seen the municipality open a new fire station in Springhill. It also invested in breathing equipment, radios, hoses, protective gear, and other safety equipment.
It has also begun planning a new fire station in the River Hebert fire district.
The Municipality of Cumberland operates 15 fire departments: Advocate, River Hebert, FPW, Parrsboro, Southampton, Springhill, Collingwood, Truemanville, Tidnish, Shinimicas, Leicester, Pugwash, Wallace, Wentworth, and Westchester.
The truck, built in Winnipeg, Man. by Fort Garry Fire Trucks, replaces a 26-year-old pumper truck.