Firefighters have been in the station now for several weeks as they transition gear and administrative offices out of Station No. 1 on Howe Springs Road, which will remain a fully functioning station with a bright future.  

But the new station has an engine bay that's almost as large as the entire station it replaces, said Battalion Chief Alan McCormick.

For perspective, the department's ladder truck easily fits in the bay with plenty of room for seven other trucks, or utility trailers or rescue boats.

The current fire garage was built in 1981 and has structural problems that prevent the fire station from maximizing their effectiveness. Inefficiencies include small garage doors, limited room between trucks, trouble with heating and insulation and little infrastructure for a potential career-based department. "We're looking towards the future," Brush Fire Chief Tad Anderson explained. "The current design is from 1981, and we've ran into some structural problems. We all love the old building, but the fact is that something needed to be done to improve the base and we're now making the necessary steps to help our department work better."

While the 42-year-old firetruck’s looks and name make it memorable, residents know Ol’ Girl is more than just a pretty face.  

For emergency calls that might be risky for newer and bigger firetrucks, Joines said firefighters are confident Ol’ Girl can make it through big ditches and muddy wetlands. He said the truck has been present for more than 90 percent of calls the volunteer fire department responds to.

Fire instructor Paul Solis says the students would be able to go straight into the fire program at EPCC without having to take prerequisites.  

The firetruck will give students more of a hands-on approach to what they are already learning. The school's principal and Solis helped to get the truck for the students.