RESCUE 6, JACKSON'S NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FIRE ENGINE, IN SERVICE

JACKSON -- Rescue 6, Jackson's new state-of-the-art fire engine, has arrived to provide the city with enhanced firefighting and rescue capabilities.

The engine is a $236,000 Ferrara built in Baton Rouge, La., and augmented with $70,000 worth of rescue equipment.

The engine was custom built for Jackson with an eye toward answering both fire calls and emergency medical calls.

The Jackson Fire Department began running first-responder calls in July after firefighters underwent 40 hours of emergency medical training. The department responds to all 911 calls involving fires, rescues and emergency medical service within the city limits of Jackson.

The added responsibility has increased the number of calls answered by the department by 450 percent. The department is composed of seven career firefighters and 15 paid on-call firefighters.

Rescue 6 will be the department's main line engine. Its enclosed cab provides firefighters with a rehabilitation area that can be used in inclement weather, high heat or cold. The engine is not built to transport injured people to the hospital, however.

The 38,000-pound engine also is equipped with state-of-the-art LED warning lights, which consume little energy but illuminate well.

Air packs are built into the back of the seats so the firefighters can mount their air packs when they mount the truck, saving time.

Its black over red color scheme is used by many metropolitan fire departments. "But we did it for the school colors of Jackson," said Fire Chief Brad Golden. The engine also carries graphics depicting the Jackson Indians.

Rescue 6 replaces a 1968 truck that was nearing the end of its service life for a department of Jackson's size. That truck has been leased to the Gordonville Fire Department.