In this incident, another vehicle failed to yield to the responding fire truck. As apparatus operators, we cannot expect other vehicles to hear or see us. Make sure all cars on the road know your intentions as the driver of the apparatus.

The department retired a 1991 rig. The new truck cost approximately $900,000. The new truck responded to its first call shortly after the dedication ceremony, which was attended by 100.

The FDNY is joining other departments in purchasing smaller, more agile vehicles for certain types of calls.

The "fly cars" allow paramedics to respond to priority calls without taking patients to the hospital. An ambulance will respond along with a fly car to handle transport.

Fly cars comprise 10 specially equipped SUVs that were rolled out last year as part of a pilot program that was intended to improve emergency response in The Bronx, which had the most medical calls per person in the past year.

The department is receiving two rigs: one a brush truck and one a new pumper. the department expects to pay $600,000 for the new pumper, which replaces a 1988 rig, and $50,000 for the grass rig, which replaces a 1997 unit.