Humboldt and surrounding communities may have found a deal on a replacement rescue truck for the fire department.

The city has learned of a lightly used truck originally bought by Nexen Energy in Fort McMurray.

“We always were keeping our eyes open for a good, used rescue truck, it’s just that they don’t come available very often, or are pretty much worn out by the time they do become available,” city manager Joe Day said.

The current F550 rescue truck can’t carry all the equipment a modern fire department uses and doesn’t carry water, which can be needed to put out a fire at a car crash. As it stands, the fire department must dispatch a pumper to emergencies as well, Chief Mike Kwasnica previously told Bolt FM.

The potential replacement, a 2011 Rosenbauer model, has seen less than 16,000 kilometres of travel and 30 hours of service on its pump.

It’s likely better equipped than what the city would be able to buy brand new, and inspired administration to move more quickly on acquiring it, Day said.

The truck would cost no more than $400,000 to buy and modify to fit the Humboldt fleet, saving Humboldt and the Humboldt and District Fire Association around $50,000 each compared to buying new, he said.

If it’s confirmed to be suitable and the deal goes through, the truck could be in service around February or March.

The city will still issue a request for proposals for other suppliers to provide a similar truck at a similar price, Day said.