Once chosen, the company will add level IIIA ballistic protection to the ambulance's front, sides and back. Level IIIA armor is typically used to protect against handgun-caliber bullets.

Gainesville first responders were involved in a dangerous active shooter situation a few years ago and want to be better prepared in the future, Gainesville Fire Rescue District Chief Shawn Hillhouse said.

"We've embedded medics with [a] law enforcement team when there was gun fire being exchanged between law enforcement and [a] suspect," he said. "We had the need to move injured people from a warm zone back to a cold zone for waiting EMS."

That's where Lowe's Home Improvement stepped in.

The station's kitchen at 518 N. Jackson St. is getting a fully-donated makeover made possible by the Lowe's Heroes Project volunteer program.

Around 15 Lowe's employees started tearing out old cabinets and appliances at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25. The crew hopes to have the renovation completed by Friday, said Jennifer Phillips, an employee at the Lowe's at 1535 Boardman Road.

The dedication will follow a long tradition of the fire service by starting with a ceremonial wet-down from a small hose line from the engine being replaced to anoint the new engine.

Once the fire engine is dried off, all firefighters and guests participate in the signature event -- the push-in to the firehouse.

Semmes Fire Chief Kevin Brooks said officials received a call shortly after 7:30 am about an accident here involving three vehicles with minor damage and minor injuries.

Brooks said, "About five minutes into the scene, a car hit the front of the pumper, and another vehicle was traveling behind them and also hit the front of the pumper, causing significant damage.  There were five people total in those two vehicles struck that were transported with minor injuries to Providence Hospital."

But Chief Brooks said the fire truck positioned itself on the road in a particular way for a reason.

Brooks said, "It pulled past the accident at an angle to protect the firefighters and the patients in the vehicles that they were working the first wreck, and it did exactly what it was supposed to do."