Chase's eyes were wide with surprise and joy at the crowd gathered to celebrate the youngster, who has battled leukemia and has been in remission for more than two years. There were more surprises to come, when Chase learned that he and his family were going to fly to Florida the end of the month.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation paid for the pizza party for Chase, arranged the ride on the fire truck and also planned a week of activities for the boy and his family in Orlando with all expenses paid by the organization. 

The North Central EMS ambulance was going eastbound on Liberty Avenue when the driver apparently had a medical condition. He lost control, drove off the side of the road, into a ravine and flipped over. The ambulance came to a rest in the upright position.

The patient died from the crash. An EMT in the back of the ambulance was taken by medical helicopter to a Toledo hospital, Gockstetter said. The driver -- also an EMT-- was also taken to a hospital with injuries.

But to help the blind spots, the new engines have cameras on the back and right side. 

"When they are changing lanes or turning that they would be able to have those eyes there," he said. 

There are also LED lights on fold down steps, rollover protection airbags, and as each truck turns on then the power cord ejects itself. 

Inside there is seat detection making sure everyone is buckled in. 

The department's new medic trucks have new suspension and a power load system for its gurney. 

When the fire trucks are backed into their spots, there is only about six inches of room to maneuver behind them.

The current building has served as the fire department for a little over 30 years.

Chief Hall said that he hopes that with this grant, they can build something that will serve the town of Blountstown for many years.

"We want to build something that's going to be here for the next fire chief and two fire chiefs down the road," said Hall.

Though having more space will be great, Chief Hall said that building a new station will help the department grow in other areas as well.

Department members and leaders gathered last month with leaders from the village and town of Westfield for an official dedication of a brand new and technologically-updated rescue truck, which has been part of its official fleet since January.

Former fire chief and current Hook and Ladder Lieutenant William H. Bills explained how the acquisition of the rescue truck got started as he was leaving his term as chief and current Fire Chief Jerry Ruch was entering.

After discussing the need for a new rescue vehicle with both the village and town boards, a joint committee was formed to make an informed decision about what vehicle would best serve the needs of the department.