Foreign Affairs Minister lands in Sault; airport to get much-needed upgrade (3 photos)

Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland came bearing gifts as she landed at the Sault Ste. Marie Airport Thursday morning.

Though Freeland did not address reporters (going straight to an inspection of the airport’s new fire truck), Terry Bos, Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation (SSMADC) president and CEO, announced the airport will be receiving $16,250 in funding for a new Integrated Radio Alarm System (IRAS).

The federal cash came from Transport Canada's Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP), the airport’s capital reserve fund providing the balance of $8,750 for what amounts to a $25,000 upgrade.

“The system is one we use that allows us to give silent alarms in case something happens in the security screening room and also allows us to respond, if there’s ever a crash or incident, the entire thing going through our radios in order to alert us if there’s an incident so our fire trucks can respond,” Bos said, speaking to reporters prior to Freeland’s arrival.

The upgrade, Bos said, is much needed.

“We already have a system but it’s getting old and not so reliable and the replacement parts are no longer available, so this will upgrade us and help us if we have any incidents,” Bos said, adding the old system is approximately 30 years old.

“We haven’t missed any incidents. It’s working but it’s at the point in its life where there are no replacement parts available, so before we run into an issue, if it doesn’t work, we’re getting it fixed in advance.”

Bos said he anticipates the new radio alarm system should be up and running by the summer.

The equipment will be installed in the airport’s combined services building, where the airport’s fire hall is housed, with emergency information to be broadcasted, if needed, to radio-carrying airport staff.

Meanwhile, Freeland sat at the wheel of the airport’s new fire truck, which went into service in December, chatting with airport fire services staff, accompanied by Bos, Sault MP Terry Sheehan and Jerry Dolcetti, SSMADC board chair.

Freeland and Sheehan then departed for a Sault Ste. Marie Federal Liberal Association luncheon at the Marconi Club before taking an afternoon tour of Algoma Steel, Freeland expected to make remarks regarding Canada’s steel industry while at the plant.