The City of Corner Brook is getting a new ladder truck, but when it arrives remains to be seen.

The current 20-year-old truck is in rough shape and requires quite a bit of work according to Chief Todd Flynn.

He says the chassis has corroded to the point that they’re engineering welds to keep it going as a short-term fix. The ladder is also being repaired, but he calls those “Band-Aid fixes” until the apparatus can be replaced.

On Monday, the city received confirmation from the provincial government of $1.5 million dollars in funding to replace the ladder truck. The city is pleased with the funding which will “close the gap” on the purchase price of a new piece of equipment, and they’re going to tender in the next few days.

Flynn says however, continued global supply chain issues mean it’s not clear when the new truck will finally be delivered.

He says they are a good 12, 18 or even 24 months out from delivery. In the meantime the ladder truck they have now will have to stay in service.