Home »
Thieves target volunteer fire department SPU
One of the South Country Fire Department’s Type 2 Structural Protection Units (SPUs) has been broken into and the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) is asking the public to be on the lookout for several tools that have been stolen.
Among the items stolen are a marked Husqvarna chainsaw (pictured), rechargeable Dewalt impact driver and drill, two toolboxes full of tools, two 20 litre gas cans and industrial bolt cutters.
“These SPUs protect people’s homes in the event of wildfire,” explained Elk Valley & South Country Rural Fire & Rescue Services Chief Dave Boreen. “Not only have thieves stolen from a volunteer fire department, they’ve taken tools that could affect our ability to protect people’s properties in an emergency. It’s unfathomable.”
The theft was discovered Wednesday afternoon (May 19) and RCMP have opened an investigation. All of the items stolen are engraved with the letters EVSC and some have blue paint on them.
The Type 2 Structural Protection Units are trailers equipped with specialized sprinklers, hoses and other equipment that allow trained structure protection specialists from the fire departments to set up sprinklers on and around structures to help reduce the potential for damage during a wildfire.
The RDEK’s SPU teams have been used throughout the East Kootenay over the past few years including the Moyie, St. Mary Lake, Doctor Creek and Nipika areas.
Anyone with any information about the theft is asked to contact the Elk Valley RCMP.
Full list of items stolen…
Husqvarna Chainsaw
Double Head LED Light Stand
Dewalt Impact Drill Set w/charger, 2 batteries and bag – Not Marked
20L Gas Cans x 2 – Marked with blue spray paint EVSC
Carpenter’s Toolbox x 2 – each contained the following;
Claw hammer
18” pry bar
10” channel lock pliers
Multi head screwdriver
6” crescent wrench
10” crescent wrench x 2
10” tin snips
Drill bit set
Tools in the carpenter tool boxes are marked with blue spray paint, except drill bit sets.
Other Missing Items;
Bolt cutters 24”
RDEK Photos
RDEK
