The money was raised through fund-drives‚ donations and saving a percentage of the fire tax revenue from the township.

Geslak said the fire company’s truck committee worked for several years to design the perfect truck that could carry the right equipment for rescue situations.

Once the committee knew what it wanted‚ it worked with 12 different manufacturers to bring the custom design to life.

The committee chose Pierce Manufacturing Inc.‚ of Wisconsin‚ to build the vehicle.

“One goal the truck committee was charged with was to come up with a design that fits all the old equipment plus the new equipment and leave 10 percent open space for future expansion‚” Geslak said.

The new truck was put into service in October‚ Geslak said.

The company is selling the older rescue truck‚ built in 1982‚ for $59‚900‚ he said‚ a price that includes some older hydraulic equipment.

The older rescue truck carries less equipment but more firefighters.

Geslak said the company tries to replace vehicles after 20 years of service.

The rescue vehicle carries equipment for various types of rescues‚ including people trapped in vehicles after accidents; water rescues; high-angle rescues and rescues from buildings or residences.

The equipment includes hydraulic tools that cut through metal or punch through cinder blocks; regular tools for dismantling; HazMat cleanup materials; ropes; items for stabilizing vehicles and generators.

The equipment is stored on the sides and top of the truck; some storage cabinets have rolling shelves that allow easy access to heavier equipment.

Some new equipment the company ordered has not yet arrived‚ according to Frank Reidy‚ chairman of the truck committee.

The equipment includes new hydraulic tools; an air-hammer that can break through cinderblocks and an air-shoring system of metal tubes used to stabilize trenches or collapsed structures.

Geslak said the truck itself is equipped with front-end suspension‚ improving its handling and steering on the road.

“For as big and heavy as this truck is‚ it drives like a car‚” Geslak said.

He said the truck also has side air bags for protection if the vehicle starts to roll.

Also‚ Geslak said the truck has a 9‚000-watt light on the top that can extend 20-feet in the air.

“We can be‚ at 3 a.m.‚ in the middle of a cornfield and make it daylight‚” Geslak said.