Mayor Bill Haslam and Fire Chief Edward Cureton today placed a new Hazardous Materials truck into service at Fire Station 18.

"One of the most important services a City provides it citizens is a well-equipped Fire Department," Mayor Haslam said. "This service has become an even higher priority for all communities since the tragedies we witnessed on September 11, 2001."

The new vehicle is a 2003 Ferrara Igniter Command Cab which replaces a 1991 E-One/International. The truck will improve the delivery of service to all of Knoxville. It has a new cab design that will serve as a command post and planning office for extended, on-scene incidents.

"This magnificent piece of equipment will allow us to be as prepared as we possibly can for any HazMat incident," Chief Cureton said. The Knoxville Fire Department worked with Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Inc. of Holden, Louisiana on the design and specifications of the new vehicle. Knoxville requested a Command Cab with only one door to allow more work space, and Ferrara is already receiving inquiries for additional purchases from other fire departments around the country.