So shiny!

The Sutphen engine
Coming soon to Saratoga Springs
I'll be there... will you?

There's something very cool about a shiny fire engine. I suppose this is a little kid thing that I've never grown out of. I love watching fire trucks drive by with their lights flashing and sirens wailing. I love how strong they look, and how utilitarian they are.

I had the chance to visit the Saratoga Springs Fire Department's main station on Lake Avenue on Wednesday. I didn't get to ride in the truck, or even slide down one of the station's many fire poles, but it was very fun to be in the station's cavernous garage, where the department keeps three fire engines, one ladder truck, a rescue truck, a brush truck, a confined space rescue truck and an ambulance.

I'd been the fire department on two other occasions, but I'd never before been allowed into the garage. On those occasions, I was visiting the firehouse on Christmas and Thanksgiving, to write about what firefighters do on those days. Yesterday, I was writing about a thermal imaging camera. The cameras are kept on the fire trucks, which are kept in the garage.

While there, I also had the opportunity to ask the assistant chief about the department's new truck. Yes, that's right, a new fire truck!

The new truck, which is going to cost about $232,000, and I fully plan on writing near endless stories about the new truck in an attempt to convey my excitement about the new truck.
The new vehicle, when it arrives, will take the place of a truck purchased in the early 1990s. That truck will got to "reserve" status, and will fill in when other trucks are in use, or in the shop. An older truck, purchased in 1977, will be put out to the proverbial pasture.

The Asst. Chief said it might eventually sent to South America, where it would be a significant upgrade. Otherwise, it would be scraped for parts. So, one more big shiny truck joins the fleet. I fully plan on pressing my nose to the window every time the new truck rolls by the office.