Officials said the new, modern facility is much larger than the old station that was adjacent to woods behind Horry Georgetown Technical College’s Conway campus. They said they can now serve S.C. 544 area residents much faster.

“It’s really about quicker response times, [particularly] near the university,” said HCFR spokesman Capt. Mark Nugent. “Obviously, we’re right in the middle of a college campus.”

Fordville's volunteer fire department has 18 members, most of them farmers. Adam Jallo, who grow up on a local farm and now works at the Fordville Co-op Marketing Association grain elevator, was among those attending the Oct. 17 training.

"We know grain bins are dangerous. And we want to be ready, though we hope we never have to use this (equipment or training)," said Jallo, who, as part of the training, stood thigh-deep in grain. The training was conducted in a grain truck, not a bin.

The station is one of six in the state to receive a “Heavy Urban Pump Rescue” truck – a 3000 litre capacity, rear-mount fire engine – designed to serve regions which cross between built-up metropolitan areas and country bushfire zones.

The fire truck was originally slated to be delivered by November but a Metropolitan Fire Service spokeswoman said the estimated time of arrival was now “late January or early February”.

Currently being built in New Zealand, the tanker is expected to be able to cut response times down, be fitted with the latest bushfire-protection technology and replace an existing tanker, which will be sent to another station.

Powered by a 600 HP Cummins diesel powerplant, the truck is capable of being lifted to forward and rearward angles with the assistance of a hydraulic outrigger system.

The outriggers function as hydraulic powered stands which are emerged from each side of the truck, and provide grounded support for the truck while lifted. By achieving these angles, the ladder and attached bucket can be used in horizontal operations as well as vertical operations.

Engine 5 will be stationed at Fire Station 5, 3665 Acushnet Ave.; Engine 9 will be stationed at Fire Station 9, 799 Ashley Blvd. They replace two engines, which began service in 1994 and 2002. “These new engines will improve our response capabilities and are a wise investment as the city continues to prioritize public safety vehicles for the benefit of all New Bedford residents,” said Gomes in the news release.