The new ambulance includes the latest and most advanced safety features to protect patients and members in the event of an accident. The ambulance has the largest patient care area of any unit in southern New Jersey, which affords sufficient room for extra caregivers and equipment during the most severe medical emergencies.  

The new ambulance cost about $217,000 and will replace an ambulance that has been used by rescue personnel for the past 14 years. The Horton-specific features on the ambulance provide for a much smoother and quieter ride for patients; easy visibility of the unit by other motorists; and safety features that include airbags, seatbelts and progressive foam protection in the event of an accident.

Firefighters, joined by some retired Massillon firefighters, pushed the two new trucks into the station. The truck push is a tradition from when firefighters had to push the horse-drawn wagon after it returned to the station following a call.

The city purchased two Pierce Saber custom fire pumper trucks at a cost of $845,500. These are the first custom fire engines purchased in 30 years, officials said.

The two Pierce Enforcer engines "are a product of weeks of careful design and specification by Agawam firefighters, and months of construction at the Pierce Manufacturing plant in Appleton, Wisconsin," and will service the town for more than 20 years, according to a press release.

One will be stationed at the Main Street headquarters, and the other at Station 2 at 1200 Springfield Street. They will replace a pair of 1996 Pierce Saber engines.

The injured firefighters were transported to a hospital with non-serious injuries. The cause of the crash is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.