**** HRFE Release
Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency was pleased to hold the official dedication ceremony for its newest fire rescue boat, ‘Kjipuktuk (Halifax)’.
The ceremony featured remarks from Halifax Mayor Mike Savage, Chief Deborah Robertson, Fire Chief Ken Stuebing and smudging from Elder Jane Abram.
The name of the boat was selected by HRFE staff via an internal survey after consulting with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and Indigenous advisors. Special thanks to Platoon Captain Richard Fong for suggesting this name. Kjipuktuk was the name the first Mi’kmaw peoples used to describe the harbour and the area that would later become known as Halifax.
The new fire rescue boat dramatically improves response over the existing boat, with enhanced features, including 24/7, year-round firefighting, rescue capabilities, radar and depth finder, the ability to deliver more than 3,000 gallons per minute from 4 master streams and shallow water jet drive.
The addition of this boat supports the mission of HRFE to provide firefighting and rescue services in the Halifax Harbour, and to nearby islands, shores, marinas and buildings near the shoreline.
The boat will be permanently docked at Alderney Landing and will be operated by staff from Station #13 (King Street), with support from Station #15 (Woodside).
Boat Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) have completed their training and will begin crew familiarization immediately. The boat is anticipated to have initial operating capability by the end of August, once crew competency training is complete.
