The fire department celebrated the new truck with a push-in ceremony during the unveiling. This tradition involves fire personnel banding together to push the fire truck into the station.

The 59-foot-long Tractor Drawn Aerial ladder truck weighs more than 68,000 pounds.

At its meeting May 8, City Council approved the truck purchase and an ordinance increasing the maximum number of firefighter paramedics in the department from 20 to 23. 

Fire Chief Steve Rega explained that increasing the maximum number of paramedics allows for more staffing throughout the work day and more efficient response times.

He said the department has seen a 5 percent increase in EMS calls over the last year. This, in addition to a 24-hour care nursing home coming to the city in the next year, is why the ordinance was proposed.

The department received the military cargo truck and a 20-thousand dollar grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service.  

"We had to completely repaint the truck, add pumps and tanks. And all the firefighting equipment to it. And we're real proud of the product," Terry Moore, Redwater VFD, fire chief.

Now members of the community can enjoy numerous events in the historic building as the Engine House No. 5 Musuem takes visitors back in time before the 1900's and beyond.

Travel back in time to see how firefighters put out fires before the 20th century. Visitors can see items like uniforms, helmets, transportation, and equipment they used.

They host special events too to give visitors to give visitors an idea of what it was like before the 1900's.