Jarie 295185 '— -Naith-Shore News North Shore VEHICLE TO BE COMMAND HO THE NORTH and West Vancouver Emergency Program (NWVEP) recently took official delivery of a new rescue truck. The new vehicle will give the program’s North Shore Rescue Team improved local search and rescue response capability The truck has working space for two or three volunteers and will serve as a combination field centre and command and communica- tions headquarters for local search and rescue operstions. The truck is essentially a field version of the radio control system of the emergency program, based ia the North Vancouver City fire hall. Communication equipment includes a two-channel VHF radio system, connecting the 14 portable radios used by field crews and the emergency program resource cen- tre; a provincial emergency pro- gram radio to access other rescue teams; aircraft channel radio, multi-channel radio including a marine channel; citizen band radio, cellular telephone, and fixed line telephone. Future additions will include a fax machine, to speed information dissemination. The search and rescue coordina- tion area of the truck includes a map table, desk, file cabinet and map storage space. The area has its own radio connections to allow the searchmaster direct communica- tions access to field searchers. The truck also carries a coffec maker and space for a microwave oven, for use by search and rescue personnel, who may spend up to eight hours at a time in search operations. The vehicle’s equipment area in- corporates shelving and racks for the storage ropes, helmets, cliff rescue equipment, a stretcher, first-aid packs and other equip- ment. The truck’s systems can be powered externally AC, or by a built-in generator. Radics and lighting can also be powered DC by battery. The Ford cab and chassis of the new rescue truck were provided by Marlene Buck, of Dave Buck Ford Sales Ltd. Said NWVEP coordinator Ross Peterson, ‘‘The contribution that she and her company have made to our emergency response program is a valuable one and will be Temembered for many years to come.’”’ The three North Shore municipalities, through the iNVVEP also contributed toward the wcquisition and outfitting of the truck. Dirk Dejager, a North Shore Rescue Team volunteer, custom Rescue Team gets new truck a 5 NEWS photo sett Lucente THE NORTH Shore Rescue. Team (NSRT) was recently handed the keys to a new rescue truck. The truck, provided by Maslenc Buck, of Dave Buck Ford Sales Lid. and outfitted with the help of the three North Shore municipalities, replaces an older van used by the NSRT as a rescue support vehicle. Oh hand for the dedication ceremony were (pictured back, left to right) North Vancouver District Mayor Morilyn Baker, Solicitor General Asgus Ree, North Vancouver City Mayor Jack Loucks, North Vancouver City Ald. Barbara Sharp, (front, left to rigt.t) Marlene Buck, North & West Vancouver Emergency Program Coordinator Ross Peterson and NSRT leader Roger Bean. designed the emergency vehicle. Said Peterson: ‘‘Starting with the desire to design a new rescue vehicle according to our specific needs, instead of the compromise between a rescue truck and bread delivery van, as was the case with our old truck, Dirk started design from the ground up. What we have as a result, is a vehicle unmatched in the province for search and rescue use,""