“We track the usage of the trucks by engine hours as opposed to miles driven; it’s something I have to explain each year when talking about our budget,” Cole said. “A lot of the wear and tear that comes with a pump truck comes when the truck is idle; such as when we are responding to a fire and pumping water through the truck; those are well-spent engine hours but it’s not putting any more mileage on the vehicle.”  

Cole said that the department actually employs some older trucks, including models from 1994 and 1995, but the department keeps the trucks in operation because they fit inside the smaller Pinehurst station garage.

The man was traveling near Northeast 63rd Street and North Midwest Boulevard when his vehicle collided with the fire truck, according to officials. The fire truck was responding to another crash and was parked. Authorities said the fire truck was getting ready to move when the speeding vehicle slammed into it.