Every Oak Ridge Fire Department engine has been outfitted with the new equipment and Captain Eric Mocsari said it's vital to help them save lives.

"It's extremely important," said Mocsari. "The benefit of a pre-rigged system is it's very quick, we can get to a patient quickly, we don't have to do a lot of thinking when we set these systems up, and we can extricate a patient from an emergency very quickly."

Welch said he didn't know he was saved by this new rope rescue system because he doesn't remember any part of his rescue. All he knows is he's grateful for the ones who did it. He credits the firefighters and the new equipment with saving his life.

"Before the recession hit, the taxes collected enabled us to buy much of the equipment we still have today," Mickuleit said. "The National Fire Protection Association regulations state that extraction tools must be replaced every 10 years but some of our extraction tools date back to 1996."

The department worked hard to raise the money needed for new extrication equipment.

"Before the millage increase this year, we held fish frys, received donations and sold T-shirts to raise the money for new equipment," Mickuleit said. "We probably raised close to $20,000 but a single set costs $25,000 to $30,000 and we need three sets one set for each truck. A complete set includes a spreader, cutter and a ram."

The M/PIFCD provides emergency response to fires, medical calls, hazardous material incidents, natural disasters, vehicle crashes and any other emergency scenario. Last year, the department ran 1,640 calls.

The new tools arrived two weeks ago and last week a representative from Holmatro arrived at Fire Station #1 for demonstration and training.

In 1868, Titusville welcomed the second of two identical fire department pumpers — the historic “Colonel Drake” steam pumper. The other was nicknamed "The City of Titusville."

The Col. Drake pumper was well documented for its response to the “great fire and flood” of 1892, and now sits on display at Drake Well Museum.

The duet of pumpers also helped usher in the city’s adoption of a professional, paid fire department. Previously, the city was protected by eight independent volunteer fire companies, and the tide turned toward a paid department following issues over which department would receive payment for extinguishing blazes becoming more and more problematic.

Prior to fire insurance coverage being commonplace, individual building owners were required to pay a fire department for extinguishing a fire.

The city, from 1860 until the early 1880s, was protected by the Courier Hose Co., Bloss Hose Co., Bates Hose Co., Drake Hose Co., Fertig Hose Co., Bosch Hose Co. No. 1, Bosch Hook and Ladder, and the Washington Hose Co. No. 1.

"Once we open up Fire Station 143, we'll have faster response times in to Hasley Canyon as well as the 5 freeway and Castaic," said Battalion 6 Fire Chief Chris Rash.

The 10,000 square foot building was originally planned to replace aging Fire Station 76 on Henry Mayo Drive, but those plans were scrapped in favor of staffing an additional station for the Castaic area.

The green and white structure located at 28580 Hasley Canyon Road will take some territory and daily calls for service from stations 76 and 149 while augmenting brush fire response for the entire Santa Clarita Valley.

A single-engine company will call the location home for the time being, Rash said. Officials weren't counting out a possible shift in Santa Clarita Valley resources to balance out any additional future

needs. Currently housed at Battalion 6 headquarters on Citrus Drive in Valencia, a reserve engine will be rebadged as Engine Company 143 and put into service.