A reserve pumper that was donated by the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake has arrived at its destination in Sosua, Dominican Republic.

The pumper arrived Feb. 23, marking the second time the town has successfully donated a pumper to Sosua in collaboration with non-profit group Fuente de Esperanza.

The beach town had been left without an active fire truck, after mechanical failures put the 1985 Ford fire truck the town donated in 2011 out of service, the town said in a media release Tuesday.

“We are thrilled to be able to once again go beyond our borders to help provide another community with essential equipment to respond to emergencies,” said fire chief Nick Ruller.

“I’d like to thank members of town council for supporting this endeavour and David Kersteman from Fuente de Esperanza for organizing the donation.”

The 30-year-old reserve pumper, worth about $3,000 to $4,000, was “no longer effective” for NOTL as it needed about $4,800 in repairs and maintenance, which exceeded its market value, the town said.

“For the city of Sosua, however, the apparatus could be repaired to meet safety requirements and actively used to protect the community.” 

The NOTL fire department also donated used equipment that was “deemed non-compliant according to Canadian standards but still provides value to the Fuente de Esperanza group.”

“This equipment included old fire hose, nozzles and analog radios with batteries.”

Lord Mayor Betty Disero said on behalf of council she's “pleased to support this progressive initiative that breaks borders and supports emergency response efforts in the community of the Sosua.”

 “Well done to everyone involved.”