Rescue and Fire Fighting Truck Donated to Island of Roatán

Fire fighting trucks are expected to have an active service life of about fifteen years. Beyond this, if they are in proper operational order, they can continue in reserve service to communities for another decade or more. Many organizations in Canada help find new homes for fire trucks taken out of active service, extending their life and repurposing these valuable assets to help build the firefighting capacity of communities around the world.

We are proud to have donated one of our fire fighting vehicles to the Island of Roatan, off the coast of Honduras, where it has now safely arrived after months of preparation and transport. This truck served us well at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and we’re grateful to Roatan for extending its life of active service. We consider this donation as part of our ongoing ESG initiatives, and thank Team Eagle, TCEU Local 416 and Rotary Club of Toronto for making it possible.

To the residents of Roatan, Michael MacWilliam, Senior Director, Airport Operations said, “as Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is located on an island in Lake Ontario, Roatan’s new Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting truck is well acquainted with island living. Getting the truck to Roatan was a massive undertaking, and we’re glad it was successful. Best wishes from all of us in Toronto. May your new truck serve you well!”

TCEU Local 416 Executive Board added, “CUPE Local 416’s generosity has no borders. Our members have a longstanding history of supporting workers across Canada and beyond, and Roatan is no exception. In the past, we’ve partnered with Toronto EMS and our members to secure supplies, medical equipment, and training for Roatan’s paramedics. Now, we’re proud to be working with the Toronto Port Authority and our members to help deliver this emergency vehicle. A big thank you to everyone, especially marine captain John McIntyre and his unit, for ensuring this project was brought to life.”