Three children had the opportunity July 10, to sit in the new ‘Rescue 1’ rig that was purchased recently by the Pillager Area Fire Protection Association. Pictured above,from left, are Chloe Lee, Eric Klein and Caitlyn Clark. Chloe and Caitlyn are granddaughters of Pillager Fire Chief Randy Lee; and Eric is the son of Pillager Firefighter Joe Klein. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) The Pillager Area Fire Protection Association has a new rescue rig, a 2010 International made by Custom Fab and Body in Marion, Wisc.

The ‘Rescue #1’ rig has four doors and enough seats (along with seat belts) for five people. It replaces one from 1990, a vehicle which only sat two people.

“It cost $240,000, including all the gear,” said Pillager Fire Chief Randy Lee.

Chief Lee said that they first started drawing up blueprints for the truck three years ago. The actual building of the truck was a year-long process.

The rescue body is an all aluminum structure with a combination of flush mounted swing doors and roll-up doors.

The rig itself has plenty of room and a number of compartments which are equipped with a variety of vertical dividers, adjustable shelves, slide out trays and slide-out/tilt down trays.

According to Lee, it is equipped to carry eight SCBA’s (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) and 12 spare bottles.

In the rear compartment of the truck is a slide out tray which holds hydraulic tools necessary for emergency situations, including the ‘Jaws of Life.’ There are also hydraulic hose reels; an air hose reel and a cable reel.

Other features include a command center with bench seat, flip up command table, refrigerator, microwave and multiple cabinets and equipment storage provisions.

There is a generator installed to provide 120/240- volt power to the apparatus including the Command Light light tower at the top of the apparatus body and multiple electrical outlets; and there is also a 12,000 pound winch located at the front bumper extension.

“This one truck is able to carry what it took two trucks to carry in the past,” Chief Lee said. “The light tower on top can light up a city block.”