Chargers installed as Gabriola Fire prepares for electric vehicles

Derek Kilbourn

Sounder News

The Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department is preparing for the day when electric vehicles will part of the Department’s fleet.

The department recently installed chargers at both Hall #1 and Hall #2, with funding received through the BC Hydro Clean BC Initiative.

Geoff Goodall, Captain with Hall #2, spearheaded the initiative.

At the Sept. 4 meeting of the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District Board, he said there has been a push from the Federal and Provincial government for agencies to find green energy sources.

Over the last three years, Goodall has been supervising the carbon audit for the department. He said the largest energy consuming vehicle the department currently runs is the Command Vehicle, aka #6, driven by the Chief, Deputy Chief, or Duty Officer.

As the command vehicle, the Honda Ridgeline goes to every call-out, every inspection, it’s the vehicle that is always on the road, and uses the most fuel. Goodall said that same vehicle is up for replacement in the near future, and the department is considering the option of moving to an electric vehicle. The Ridgeline was purchased and put into service in 2014.

The EV charger installed inside Hall #1 on Church Street. Derek Kilbourn photo

When BC Hydro sent out the information for the Clean BC Initiative, Goodall applied for it.

He was asked by members of the public if there are other fire departments utilizing electric vehicles.

Goodall cited the Vancouver Fire Department, who have an electric vehicle for their frontline pumper, engine #1. Victoria Fire Department also has an electric frontline pumper, with a second on order. The City of Calgary is also utilizing a front-line electric pumper. Currently, electric pumpers are equipped with a backup diesel generator to allow them to continue operating on extended call-outs.

Goodall added the City of Victoria currently has 14 all-electric Ford Lightning pickups, seven of which are used as First Responder vehicles with Victoria Fire. He said Nanaimo installed an EV charging station at the new Hall #1, but have not added an all-electric vehicle the fleet yet.

At a provincial level, BC Emergency Health Services is utilizing Mach-E (Electric Mustang) electric vehicles for paramedic specialists, advanced care paramedics, and supervisors in the Greater Vancouver, Greater Victoria, and Nanaimo areas.

Goodall said, “the trend is by 2030, we’re supposed to be primarily electric. This incentive is a good means of moving in that direction. Either hybrid electric or full electric.”

In addition to the chargers being added to the Fire Hall #1, the Fire District, in partnership with the GERTIE bus organization, has installed a series of solar panels on top of the old Fire Hall #1.

GERTIE recently was awarded a grant in the amount of $718,967, which will support the purchase of two electric passenger buses to replace the two passenger diesel buses currently in service.  Those buses are scheduled to be in service at some point in 2025.