Technology has also changed the way firemen attack fires, including the apparel firemen wear when going into a burning structure.


"I really enjoyed the accomplishments of getting in, putting the fire out and saving what I could," he said.

"It's certainly a team effort. You have to trust each other and feel comfortable to go into a fire with these guys."

During his retirement reception, a number of fellow firemen sang his praises, saying he raised the bar for future firefighters, which brought tears to Knight's eyes.

"I'm going to miss you all," he said. "But I'll still be around at least another year."

He felt like it was time to find something else.

"I'm not as young as I used to be," he said. "This is God-driven. He's given me that step to retire."

He also works with Putnam County Emergency Medical Services, which he'll be staying with over the next year before moving to Ohio. His wife is in the process of moving up there.

After nearly five years of fundraising efforts, Eagle Fire Co., Oldenburg, members raised enough money to purchase a new tanker.

The 2015 Rosenbauer model is a 2,000-gallon tanker pumper with a three-man cab and 1,250-gpm (gallons per minute) pump. It was manufactured in South Dakota, report Chief Kevin Froehling, Assistant Chief Tom Nobbe and Secretary Willie Ronnebaum.

It will join the department’s fleet of vehicles, which include a 2004 engine, 1999 tanker, 1996 rescue truck, 2005 and 1973 brush trucks and early 2000’s Ford Explorer first responder vehicle.

Children of all ages and their families joined Southern Marin firefighters in welcoming Engine 4 to the fleet, pushing the truck backwards into the Tam Valley neighborhood firehouse to end the ceremonial tradition.

Standing at about 10-feet tall, the new Type 1 fire engine is a custom-made, tricked-out, bright red firefighting machine. The engine, manufactured by Pierce, features a 500 gallon water tank, a 15 gallon foam tank and a 1,500 gallon per minute water pump.

Tubbs said the new truck, which cost just shy of $600,000, offers new technology, comfort and safety for the firefighters, including a roll-cage design and other features.

The truck also has what are called quick-attack hoses, made for easy access in emergencies — one situated on the vehicle’s side and another on the bumper. And the LED ribbon lighting that framed the exterior compartments lit the truck like a Christmas tree.

Firefighters say they were out doing a training when burglars cut through the fence and stole rescue equipment from one of their fire trucks.

Now only two fire trucks are ready to use in case of an emergency at the  station off highway 198.

The third one was moved to a different location after thieves broke into it sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

"Unknown suspects gained entry into a fire truck that contained a jaws of life kit," said Lieutenant. John Weeller, Tulare County Sheriff's Office.

The equipment was taken from the truck they at the back of the station parking lot.

The jaws of life kit cost 18,000 thousand dollars when it was purchased 7 years ago.

"But the cost of that to replace it this day and age is between $25,000 and 30,000," said Charlie Norman, Fire Chief.