The City of Martins Ferry approved the $500,000-purchase of the truck, which was paid for with levy funds.

The color choice, of course, is in honor of Martins Ferry Purple Riders, but it is also the departments extension into the community.

"The original color purple, was talked about the last few engines and it never came about,” said Vigilant Fire Captain David Rice. “Then the Martins Ferry community voted it in with the levy, it is our way of giving back a little bit without home town pride."

Springfield's fire chief says it was a close call for Fire Engine 8 during Thursday night's storms when a tree was blown down and came crashing through the truck's windshield.