When fighting fires, there's times when firefighters need to get to spaces that can be difficult to access with a large fire truck . That's why the West Lake Fire Department started pursuing the purchase of Rescue 485. 

"It'll be a great asset to the West Lake Fire Department as well as Millcreek Township. Very versatile. It'll get in the small areas, or I should say tighter areas, that the larger fire apparatus can't get in. It's been about nine months, give or take planning, specking, building and so forth," committee chair member for the new truck Dominic Quadri said. 

Representative Ryan Bizzarro was part of the process, helping get the grant that contributed to the buying the new fire truck.  

"West Side FD came to me and talked about the need in the community for something this size, and it has the same functions as a traditional fire engine, I delivered for them and delivered for the community and I think it's really important for them, and this is going to save a lot of lives potentially," Bizzarro said.  

Along with proper equipment, support from the community and volunteers are essential. 

“We have a junior program. You can start at 16, work your way up through the years, and then support in the volunteer fire department is a big thing. Fundraisers are not as easy as they used to be with manpower issues. So, we just try to do the best with what we have,” Quadri said.  

On Wednesday, the new fire truck was welcomed, but it has to go through a few more steps before it's taken out for its first call.   

“We're going to shoot for the first week of October to put it in service. We have to get some other things tied up with it equipment wise, and then we've got to get our personnel trained on it, and it'll be going on every call we get for the most part. So, I'm not sure what the first run will be, but we'll make it happen,” Quadri said.