Assistant Chief Aaron Woolverton said, “We’re donating 69 air packs and 15 turnout ensembles to a program at AISD … to help our young people consider a career in public safety and the fire service. We are very proud of this program and look forward to getting more life out of this equipment the Fire Department no longer needs.”

The LBJ Fire Academy, housed at LBJ High School, was established in 2006 and has about 200 graduates. The two-year program gives students the opportunity to receive firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) certification and college credit. Not all of the students will go into fire service. The medical aspects may spur some to go to into nursing or attend medical school. Others may attend the program for the challenge—and it certainly looks good on a college resume.

They also made several home visits, as well as some surprise stops along the way. One person they surprised was Amanda Brandt, who is battling stage 3 colorectal cancer. Brandt was at work Wednesday morning when she saw the pink fire truck pull up.

"It was amazing. It was the surprise of my life. Honestly, the support, the love that I just received was awesome," said Brandt.

Brandt then signed the side of the fire truck, joining hundreds, if not thousands of people from around the country we have signed it as well.

Police say that it appears that both vehicles tried to turn into the intersection at the same time and the pickup struck the back o the firetruck.

The facility at the corner of Aviation Boulevard and Boll Weevil Circle also was put on display for the public on Wednesday afternoon when an open house was scheduled. The 4,272-square-foot station can house four firefighters and two trucks, a news release from the city said.

The Westside Station actually was in use in September and received 37 calls, which Herring said was a good call volume. The station’s current primary district includes the area west of Main Street up to Highway 134 or Damascus Highway, and around Boll Weevil Circle to Highway 27 and down Geneva Highway. The Westside Station also backs up the Central and Northside stations, including on medical calls, Herring said.