Big rig, big impact. After a few finishing touches, the Rockford Fire Department has a new, top of the line fire truck on our streets. "Mount all the equipment that needs to be mounted, make whatever changes to the truck that the firemen have decided they want on the truck," said David Decarlo, RFD's mechanic shop coordinator.
"If they're first in, they can pull hand lines and start suppression of the fire,” District Chief Matthew Knott said. “Those are capabilities we didn't have before with that specific equipment."
The truck is replacing Station 2's old one at RFD’s busiest spot near Kishwaukee and Broadway.
"Basically frontline rigs that were taken out of service and have been put in a reserve status," Knott said.
At $900,000 it's not cheap, but Knott argues neither is maintaining outdated equipment and he says we can't afford to have something break down when lives are on the line.
"So this will allow us to keep that vehicle in service more because it's more reliable," Knott said.