"There’s not a lot of difference, obvious the size and the weight rating is different, but this truck pumps the same amount of water as our larger engines. It just wont carry as much equipment as the old, would be the main drawback," he said.

Sickles said the cost of the mini-pumper is half the amount of a regular engine.

Another perk the fire department said was that it will be able to fit at their fire station one, located at city hall, as that station is a little smaller.

The vehicle is used as a makeshift rescue rig, carrying equipment for the fire department’s most technical emergency calls, including rescues involving structural collapse, trenches and confined spaces.

For almost 20 years, it’s done its job — mostly. Now it’s time for the 1981 International Harvester to make way for a brand new rescue rig, saving the department — and taxpayers — thousands of dollars in maintenance costs.

“The new rig will be safer for us getting down the road (and be) easier to maintain,” Lt. Josh Farris said.

Firefighters say the beer truck is outdated and costly. When it breaks down, it can spend weeks in the maintenance shop, costing the department thousands.