The apparatus was purchased thanks to funding through a Local Government Capital Improvement Grant for $270,900. The grant covered 75 percent of the vehicle's cost. The grant was a cooperative effort between trustees of Noble, Tiffin and Delaware townships to improve fire protection.

The truck is 26 feet in length, and 11 feet, 1 inch tall.

It has a walk-in heavy-duty rescue body, and its enclosed cab can seat up to six personnel, including the driver.

It carries a breathing air cascade system with booster pump for refilling air pack bottles on scene.

There is a compartment on the extended front bumper that has Holmatro hydraulic rescue tools and built in hose reels in it.

The fire department celebrated the new truck with a push-in ceremony during the unveiling. This tradition involves fire personnel banding together to push the fire truck into the station.

The 59-foot-long Tractor Drawn Aerial ladder truck weighs more than 68,000 pounds.

At its meeting May 8, City Council approved the truck purchase and an ordinance increasing the maximum number of firefighter paramedics in the department from 20 to 23. 

Fire Chief Steve Rega explained that increasing the maximum number of paramedics allows for more staffing throughout the work day and more efficient response times.

He said the department has seen a 5 percent increase in EMS calls over the last year. This, in addition to a 24-hour care nursing home coming to the city in the next year, is why the ordinance was proposed.

The department received the military cargo truck and a 20-thousand dollar grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service.  

"We had to completely repaint the truck, add pumps and tanks. And all the firefighting equipment to it. And we're real proud of the product," Terry Moore, Redwater VFD, fire chief.