The purchase of a quick-attack fire truck — a smaller but maneuverable vehicle ideal for EMS calls — took a little longer than the town expected. When town officials were prepared to buy a new truck, they found a new model would be available soon.

“Because of how the model was running, it didn’t make sense,” said Town Manager Bill Post. “One of the trucks it’s replacing is Ford F-350 with forestry equipment.”

The quick-attack fire truck will have the forestry capabilities of the F-350, and it is replacing a light duty rescue truck that is also used to transport firefighters.

That was Councilman Fred Richardson, who had obvious reason to be delighted that the city's newest public safety facility was in his District 1. But Mayor Sandy Stimpson, Public Safety Director James Barber and Mobile Fire-Rescue Chief Mark Sealy said it was a big step forward for the city as a whole and a sign of things to come.  

Sealy said the four-bay, 12,000-square foot facility allowed the department to put more assets closer to I-65, a key to improving their ability to go wherever needed. Those assets include a ladder truck formerly stationed on Lafayette Street, and what had been the sole unit stationed at the Ashland Station on Old Shell Road.