Central Bell Fire & Rescue is adding its first brush truck to the fleet.
The 1,200-gallon heavy brush truck, dubbed "Heavy 51," can spray water through nozzles located on its sides while it's in motion. Heavy duty tires also make it easier for the truck to get through rough terrain.
"Our fire trucks are stationary, in one location spraying water," Assistant Chief Jason Woodard said. "A brush truck can move anywhere on the fire ground to put out fires."
The truck is also equipped with a dump chute that will allow firefighters to fill a drop tank and shuttle water for other trucks.
Woodward said it's taken his team a year to get the truck road-ready. It will hit the streets in the next couple of days after the last few lights and logos are put on.
"This will be a good thing for us," Woodard said. "We can get to the areas quick enough to get the fire put out."
Woodward said they serve Bell County as well as surrounding counties. Just last month, the department responded to more than 100 calls, including 19 for grass fires.
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