Volunteer fire departments in Nova Scotia are facing escalating concerns over the rising cost of diesel, which is essential for operating their fleet of trucks. The current price of diesel has surged to around $2.60 per liter, straining the already tight budgets of these departments.
According to Rod Nielsen, the chief of the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Department in southern Colchester County, the unprecedented high prices are a significant challenge. Most of the department’s vehicles, including the larger ones, run on diesel, leading to tough decisions on budget allocations.
Nielsen, who also serves as the president of the Fire Service Association of Nova Scotia, emphasized the dilemma of balancing essential expenses like emergency response and training against budget constraints. This situation varies for each department but may involve reducing mutual aid training or delaying purchases of non-essential equipment.
Meanwhile, the Caribou Volunteer Fire Department in Pictou County is feeling the pinch of doubled fuel budgets due to the substantial increase in diesel prices over the past year. Chief Richard Heighton noted that despite being a smaller operation, the impact is significant, prompting the department to continue fundraising efforts to cope with the financial strain.
In addition to diesel costs, fire departments are grappling with higher expenses for furnace oil used to heat their facilities, with prices surging by approximately 40%. The reliance on furnace oil for heating poses an added financial burden, especially for less energy-efficient buildings, further exacerbating the financial challenges faced by these departments.
The uncertainty surrounding the duration of high fuel prices is a major concern for fire departments, as sustained high costs could severely impact their operations. Nielsen emphasized the importance of monitoring the situation closely and expressed hope for potential relief measures while encouraging struggling departments to reach out for support.