District 7 Fire Rescue Places New Engine 116 and Medic 116 in Service
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
District 7 Fire Rescue is proud to announce the addition of two new frontline apparatus to our fleet: Engine 116 (E116) and Medic 116 (M116). Both units have officially been placed in service at Station 116, “The Ranch,” replacing the previous apparatus assigned there and bringing updated capabilities to the crews who serve our community every day.
These new units represent more than simply replacing older equipment. They are part of the department’s continued effort to ensure our firefighters and paramedics have reliable, purpose-built equipment that evolves alongside the needs of our growing community.
Engine 116
Engine 116 is a Pierce Velocity built in a PUC (Pierce Ultimate Configuration) design. The engine carries 750 gallons of water, maintaining consistency with the other engines in the District 7 fleet.
While E116 maintains many of the capabilities our crews are already familiar with, several improvements were incorporated into its design based on operational experience and the changing needs of the department.
One of the most noticeable changes is the lower rear hose bed configuration. Lowering the hose beds makes it easier for firefighters to access and deploy hose lines, particularly during structure fires when crews need to quickly establish a water supply and place attack lines into operation.
E116 also features an upgraded emergency lighting system to improve the visibility of the apparatus while responding to and operating at emergency scenes. Customized storage compartments were designed around the equipment our crews carry today, providing improved organization and accommodating the department's expanding response capabilities.
E116 also has a sister apparatus, Engine 118, built in the same configuration. Engine 118 has already been placed into service and is currently operating from its temporary home at Station 115, “The Dog House.” Once the future Station 118 is completed, E118 will relocate to its permanent home and provide service from the department's newest station.
Having E116 and E118 built in the same configuration also provides greater consistency across the fleet, allowing firefighters to maintain familiarity with apparatus operations, equipment placement, and hose configurations regardless of which unit they are assigned to.
Medic 116
Joining E116 is the new Medic 116, featuring a Wheeled Coach ambulance body on a Ford F-550 chassis.
M116 is configured identically to Medic 115 and Medic 115B, continuing the department's move toward greater standardization across its ambulance fleet. Having similarly configured units allows crews to move between apparatus while maintaining familiarity with equipment locations and patient-care setups.
The larger patient compartment provides our paramedics with additional working space while treating and transporting patients. In emergency medicine, having adequate room to access equipment, perform procedures, and work alongside other providers can make a meaningful difference in how efficiently crews are able to deliver care.
Ultimately, M116 was designed with one priority in mind: providing our crews with the space and equipment they need to provide high-quality patient care to our community.
Honoring Fire Service Tradition
Before E116 and M116 began answering calls, District 7 personnel gathered at Station 116 for a traditional push-in ceremony and prayer over the new apparatus.
The push-in ceremony traces its roots to the days of horse-drawn fire apparatus. After returning from a call, horses could pull the apparatus back to the firehouse, but they could not easily back the equipment into the station. Firefighters would unhitch the horses and manually push the apparatus into the bay so it would be ready for the next alarm.
As motorized fire apparatus replaced horses, the practical need to push equipment into the station disappeared, but the tradition remained.
Today, fire departments across the country continue the ceremony when placing new apparatus into service. Members gather together and symbolically push the new engine, truck, or ambulance into its bay, recognizing both the generations of firefighters who came before them and the beginning of a new apparatus's service to the community.
For District 7 Fire Rescue, the ceremony provided an opportunity to bring our members together, honor fire service tradition, and offer a prayer for the firefighters, paramedics, patients, and community members whose lives will cross paths with these units throughout their years of service.
Ready to Serve
The addition of Engine 116, Engine 118, and Medic 116 represents another investment in the future of District 7 Fire Rescue. From improved apparatus design and standardized equipment to the continued expansion of our station network, these investments help prepare the department to meet the needs of a growing community.
While our apparatus, technology, and equipment continue to evolve, our mission remains the same: to provide professional, dependable, and compassionate service when our community needs us most.
E116 and M116 are now officially serving from Station 116, while E118 is serving from Station 115 until it makes the move to its permanent home at the future Station 118.
