According to the Texas A&M Forest Service website, they are committed to helping fire departments obtain critically needed equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training and other resources to protect the public and emergency personnel from fire and related hazards.While the department already had one set of rescue tools they decided they and the community would benefit from having more than one set of rescue tools, said Fire Chief Matt Valdez.“If the first set is being used or not close enough to an accident we can use the new tools,” he said. “Having two sets can also be used in case of a major accident.”

The Ford F-250 that the Armada Township Fire Department has owned for about two years had a limited capability for use and no provision for storage equipment. After examining operational considerations and the budget, it became apparent the truck could be upgraded into a resource that would offer greater functionality, Reynolds said. The truck is now the chief's command vehicle, which he drives daily.

"A lot of inventory put into the truck was already in our firehouse. Some was taken from other vehicles and some taken off of the shelf," he noted.

Reynolds said firefighters assisted in stocking the truck, and he was open to their suggestions regarding the type of equipment needed. A cap was put on the truck in early June, making it easier to secure items such as advanced first aid equipment, splints, backboards, bandages, airway equipment and cervical collars.

"Once we had a cap we put things inside to make it a more effective management tool," Reynolds said.

The truck now carries medical, fire-rescue and incident command equipment including a cardiac defibrillator, firefighting tools and an incident command board, which helps track personnel and resources as well as develop action plans, the chief said. It organizes information during fires and large-scale incidents.

ower 21 has been at work in Raritan Township since December.

Several fire departments from Hunterdon and Somerset counties, as well as from Pennsylvania, came to the celebration and were awarded trophies for best engine, tanker, ladder truck, antique truck and furthest traveled.

Tower 21 was dedicated when Raritan Township Fire Chief Steven Wetter smashed a bottle of champagne across the front bumper. Mayor Karen Gilbert and Deputy Mayor Michael Mangin were on hand to help with the dedication.

As is tradition, the new ladder truck was pushed into the fire house, which is a long standing tradition for the arrival of a new truck.

The driver of the fire truck was not injured. The female driver of the Altima and a child that had been a safety seat were taken to UPMC Jameson by Noga Ambulance.