The addition to the department's fleet will help meet a growing demand to provide around-the-clock medical services in the city. The last time the CFD had its own ambulance was in the 1950s.

That will soon change as the department is in the process of using leftover money from the purchase of its new ladder truck to buy a new ambulance.

The Charlottesville Fire Department was allotted nearly $1.6 million to purchase its new ladder truck, but only spent $1.42 million.

The new bright red truck, which cost the district between $100,000 to $160,000, gives local emergency medical services crews updated technology and tools to help residents in crisis on the west side of the peninsula near Artondale. Lt. Geoff North, a medical service officer for Fire & Medic One, gave tours of the new 2018 Ford F-450 ambulance. "It has a lot of technology and improvements for doing our job," North said. "We have powered structures on board, we have a powered stair chair. This apparatus has some cameras that give us an idea of what is going on behind us. These are much cleaner-burning vehicles, which is better for us and the environment. So if we are going to a neighborhood in the middle of the night we aren't waking up everybody when we get there."

The Conover Fire Department was rated at a level five in the city and five-9S in the rural service district -- that has been improved to a level four in both districts, where a lower number is desired. The new rating is effective March 1, and the city should expect to see a decrease in homeowners insurance rates. "Prevention and preparedness of the Fire Department is a key part of the day to day operations that most people in the community do not realize is occurring," Conover Fire Chief Mark Hinson said via the release. "Most homeowners and businesses live each day without ever coming in direct contact with their local fire department.  

Since the engine mirrors the functions of a tanker with larger water storage capacity, VanSparrentak said it is suitable for service in a rural area. Additionally, the engine also has a booster line for use on grass, trash and other smaller fires, as well as being used for decontamination hosing off of firefighters following a fire.  

The low bid came from Smeal at $659,546, with a bid of $685,444 for a Pierce engine. However, VanSparrentak noted if the department pays cash for the Pierce engine, the cost would be $657,782 — more than $26,000 in savings.

The 1999 engine will cost $800,000 to replace. Clark said corrosion on the frame and in the water tank, as well of years of wear and tear, make it impractical to attempt to refurbish. The fire department spent $28,000 in repair costs for the engine in the last five years.   

It will cost $1 million for the department to replace the 110-foot ladder truck. The truck, which is 27 years old, has some safety issues. Clark said it is unlikely that the truck will pass next year's annual ladder safety inspection. The department has already spent $108,000 repairing the truck since 2013.