“It was custom designed just for us by Ferrara Fire Apparatus of Louisiana, and it took a year to build it,” said Trent Turner, a 31-year CTVFC veteran and Fire Chief for 11 years.

“In order to provide the best possible services to those we serve, our fire company takes a very proactive approach to outfitting our responders with the most up-to-date equipment that’s fiscally possible,” said Turner.

“About two years ago, Company 18’s membership approved securing a new Heavy Rescue truck to replace our older model. We’d sold the old rig in January last year, and for interim use had purchased a reserve rescue from the Wissahickon Fire Department near Ambler PA. Once the truck’s design was confirmed and the funding approved, the order was finalized. The new truck is a beauty, and we’re glad it’s here and ready for use.”

When Company 18’s new rig responded to its maiden call on May 8th, everyone was thrilled that it performed just as it was designed to do. CTVFC’s new “pride and joy” provided its crew with all of the requisite equipment needed to save multiple lives in this recent tragic multi-vehicle accident.

“Accidents on today’s roadways are very different from those of years ago,” said Turner. “Everybody’s in a hurry mode, and today’s cars and trucks are faster. They’re also more secure and better built to better absorb entrapment of the passengers.

"Today’s vehicles are what our new Heavy Rescue was made for. Outfitted with additional tools and specialized equipment, this truck is equipped to meet every possible situation to give us what we need to open, cut, saw and do whatever we need to rescue the victims from their vehicle. And when we put our new truck into the vehicular accident planning phase, it didn’t fail us during its initial call on May 8th. It did absolutely everything we needed it to do.”