Airport looks for new truck AIRPORT OFFICIALS have started to look for a crash, fire, rescue truck to meet federal requirements coming into effect next June. an Northwest. Regional Airport manager> Laurie Brown estimates the truck, capable of spreading: foam and other fire-fighting ma- tcrial, will cost between $300,000 and $350,000. It has already received an estimate [rom one firm and is awaiting for a re- spense from another. - While the federal gov- ernment will pick up the purchase and initial mate- rial cost, as well as con- structing a facility in which to house the vehi- ele, the airport will have lo cover the cust of people (o man it and subsequent supply expenses, he said. ‘If we look at a con- tractor already at the air- port, the staff cost could be $10,000 to $15,000 a year,” said Brown. “But if we go lo a bid on a con- tracl, it would be consider- - ably more. Essentially, we might need three people here,” Brown added. Those new federal re- quirements call for a fire- fighting vehicle to be al the mid-point of the air- port's main runway within five minutes of being called out. That time constraint re- moves the option of the airport striking an agree- ment with local fire de- partments, said Brown. The airport here once had ils own fire-fighting crew and two large fire trucks, but the crew was laid off and the trucks dis- posed of in the late 1990s when the federal govern- ment decided smaller air- porls no longer needed fire-fighting resources. That happened at the same time as the federal government was lurning over ils airports to local autharilies such as the one which now runs the airport here. But the federal govern- ment quickly changed ils mind after a disaster- in- volving the crash-landing of a passenger aircraft at the Fredericton, New Brunswick airport. Plant protected | THE CITY has set aside $650,000 to reinforce the | north bank of the Skeena River to protect the sew- age treatment plant, City officials say the project involves building a groyne — 2 point of ravk jutting 80 meles upstream into the river al a 45° de- gree angle. It is expected to slow the river in the affected area, reducing croston, said develapment services direclor Marvin Kwial- kowski. He said crews will also place rock to armour. at least 400 metres of the bank south and cast of the sewage lagoons. The work needs to be done in January and Febr- uary fo avoid damage to fish habitat, Kwiatkowski said. Increased erosion near the treatment plant in re- cent years has prompted the city to closely monitor the hydrology of the river: Up to 20 metres of the bank has been disappear- ing per year, ; If nothing. is done, council has been told, the river will eventually punch a new channel destroying ibe sewage lagoons and threatening Graham Ave. homes. Kwiatkowski said Fish- cries and Oceans Canada favours ‘using groynes to control erosion because they also increase fish ha- bitat along the shore by crealing slow water areas. Al 4 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, December 24, 2003 SEAT BELTS likely saved the lives of two Prince Rupert residents who were in a single vehicle roll-over near Ter- race last week, police say, The couple, in their late 50s, were heading cast toward Terrace. when they lost control, hit a bank of snow. and flipped onto the roof‘of their truck. © The Dec. 9:50 am., just 34 km-west of Terrace near Salvus. The 2003 Dodge pick-up two occupants managed to escape, with because the ‘17 accident happened at truck sustained serious damage but the - THIS ACCIDENT could have had far worse consequences had the occup- ants not been wearing seatbelts, PHOTO COURTESY TERRACE FIRE DEPT. Seatbelt saved lives minor injuries police say. Bath occupants were wearing their seal belts. “It prevented them from getting any type of major injuries,” says Terrace RCMP Cnst. Kelly Mar- lin. “It pretty much saved their lives € truck was pretty damaged.” a ~ The-driver was-a issued a $144 vio- ‘fation-ticket for driving too fast for toad conditions. Martin- says the road was well maintained and had been sanded and salted just carlier. Kidney disease strikes families, not only individuals. When a Kidney Foundation volunteer kriocks on your door, please give generously. THE KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA “www. kidney.ca a rAd) pe ay a XING, | WEEK : 2003 Expiry” . Sewing Clu. Memiers! . - LAST CHANCE TO | a £ SALE STARTS SATURDAY, DEC, 27 Closed Christmas & Boxing Day * ll tn Store Stotk! Including. : “Plush & Shaggy. Felt. LA-Z-BOY FURNITURE & RECLINERS * SIMMONS & SPRINGWALL CHIROPRACTIC BEDS * MAYTAG & GE APPLIANCES « ALL KITCHEN & DINING ROOM SETS * ALL COFFEE & END TABLE SETS ALL CURIOS & ENTERTAINMENT STANDS ¢ ALL LAMPS, PICTURES & ACCESSORIES Extended Payment Terms - Don’t Pay For Six Months! ° - No Holds Please, First Come First Saved! STAI TS THIS MONDAY, DEC. 29" - SAN WE WILL BE CLOSED SATURDAY, DECEMBER 271H IN PREPARATION FOR THIS FABULOUS EVENT!