Fire trucks will arrive from four different states for the event, which will also feature a historic Charlotte Fire Department steam-powered pumper, the 200th anniversary of the Salisbury Fire Department, a fire truck parade, and the Norfolk Southern Lawmen Band giving a special tribute to a founding member.

The main attraction is, of course, the largest gathering of fire trucks for a public event in the state of North Carolina, with fire trucks, emergency vehicles, the N.C. Forest Service helicopter, kids’ activities, and rescue demonstrations.

Edinburg Fire Chief Shawn Snyder said the rescue operation was a team effort. He said the departments train together during the year to make sure they are ready for such dangerous rescues.

"We have what is called the Rio Grande Valley Regional Response Association, which is a makeup of the larger cities of the Rio Grande Valley. So we equip each other with same equipment, we train together and send our people to the same training events. So that they all work together," he said.

Snyder explained expert precision was necessary in the rescue not only because of the height, but also due to guide wires connected to the silo. He said if any of those wires were hit, the entire silo could fall.

He added the tactical team was called in for the rescue operation. He said they were executing two rescue plans simultaneously.

Before refabrication — completed late last year — the truck was painted in camouflage style and used as a transportation vehicle. After, its red paint sparkles and a 325-gallons-per-minute pump discharges water and foam from a 500-gallon tank.

“It’s really remarkable what happened to this truck. We cut the body right here,” said Deputy Chief Dennis Patterson, pointing to a part of the truck’s bed that steps down to facilitate the water tank.

Patterson said the truck’s primary purpose is to extinguish wild fires, but is also used during inclement weather because of its exceptional off-road capabilities and maneuverability.