The funds are part of $426,000 in grants from the state Bureau of Workers’ Compensation under a program to protect firefighters from carcinogens and other harmful health hazards encountered during their daily work, according to a news release.

Through the help of the City, donors and the Firefighters of Houston Foundation’s corporate sponsors, the Houston Fire Department (HFD) has doubled its water-rescue resources since Hurricane Harvey. By clicking on the audio above, you can listen to Captain David Colaiacomo talking about how the rescue vehicle would be used.

HFD’s Station 78 conducted a training using its newest high-water rescue vehicle on Thursday. Along with HFD’s new marine group, captain Colaiacomo made sure his team is fully trained and prepared for any high-water rescues. 

Perhaps the antique apparatus aficionado – who has his personally owned old-time fire engine that’s a memorial to his late brother Providence Fire Department Battalion Chief Frank Quetta – should have said “we’ll have all sorts of interesting things going on” inside Johnston War Memorial Park.

For young and old alike, you see, the “Johnston Jewel” was like Mecca for everyone and anyone who enjoys those shiny red fire trucks that were on display in a number of shapes and sizes Sunday five hours.

Two pumpers, for example, used water from the park’s pond to shoot streams of water into the air that captured the eye of event-goers as well as motorists driving up-and-down Hartford Avenue (Route 6) throughout the day.

One of those stunning streams of water came from 1968 650 Pumper that’s owned and operated at shows like Sunday’s event by the Nicholson family of North Attleboro, MA.