The fire chief for the City of Morden anticipates 2021 to be a big year for Morden Fire and Rescue as it continues to grow.

According to Andy Thiessen, the tender process has begun to purchase a water tanker for the department. He explains the added unit will serve as a complement to Winkler's tanker truck as both departments service areas of the surrounding R.M. of Stanley. It will also help provide better coverage to the outside edges of the City of Morden.

"Some of those areas aren't supplied by hydrants and water lines, so this type of equipment helps us provide good fire protection for them as if they were right in the middle of the city," said Thiessen.

As well, Thiessen notes this additional truck will spur an expansion of two bays to the current fire hall. He explains the hope is to also purchase a second pumper truck in the next three to five years.

Meantime, upgrades are in store for the department's training grounds this year that Thiessen says will allow members to perform live-burns more safely.

Come spring, the plan is to install thermal sensors in each of the containers located at the site, providing internal temperature read-outs before firefighters are sent in to hone their skills.

"Our gear is rated for twelve-hundred degrees. We don't like putting people into that - it compromises the gear and it's just too dangerous," explained Thiessen, adding a good practice temperature is between 700 and 800 degrees. "It gives us a good taste of what a real-life scenario would be like. This temperature system will allow us to be able to do that safely."