The department unveiled its newest piece of equipment to the public Wednesday afternoon — with the help of one Smokey the Bear — a Type III fire engine that can help combat fires in grassy areas locally and can assist with other disasters around the state.

AFD was awarded the engine last month through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System and the Texas A&M Forest Service. After all the needed equipment for the truck was added, the truck is valued at approximately $300,000, according to AFD officials.

A hole in the roof is the prime example of the problems at Fire Station One. It was there a few years ago when we first visited, and it was there a couple weeks ago when we last visited.

"A big question is, how much money do we put in this place before we say enough is enough?" said one frustrated citizen. 

That's the big question on everyone's mind – when is enough, enough? While city leaders attempt to come up with an answer, the firefighters and paramedics work around the issues.

Part of those problems, says Venice City Councilman Bob Daniels, could come from a faulty A/C system.

"It's got mold, the A/C units are pretty well shot, the air quality is bad inside, if you look in the back there are metal doors that are rusted," he says. 

In fact, those doors aren't doors at all anymore. They're all just casually leaning against the department's storage building, not connected to anything.

Daniels has been an advocate for rebuilding the station for some time. It's hard to find anyone who disagrees, but even harder still to find is the money to do the rebuilding.

The over 15-foot-long, inflatable yellow boat, which almost resembles a banana, can be inflated in about 45 seconds with a regular firefighter breathing apparatus. The craft is operated by two people using two-sided paddles. Rings at the front and rear allow responders on shore to pull the craft back to land, once the victim has been located.

"We're really happy to have it," Fire Chief Patrick Brady said. "It's going to be another application for public safety. (We can conduct water rescues) extremely quickly with this craft."

The ballistic vests, which are already in use by the department, are intended to be worn independently from the firefighters equipment. 

"We are anticipating that the vests will be used for all other incidents beyond firefighting" Fire Chief Michael Measer said. 

Designed by Dival Safety Equipment based out of Buffalo, these are some of the first ballistic vests to be used by a fire department in Western New York. With a protective lining and row of pockets, the vest is designed to be able to wear in just seconds. 

"It's meant for quick deployment to get on in hurry" Chief Measer said.