The bell on the front of a modern fire truck is mostly for tradition, and St. Clair Area Fire Authority Chief David Westrick said that tradition will continue on the department's newest vehicle.
The St. Clair Fire Department just got a new custom Rosenbauer pumper truck, which includes that throwback to the history of firefighting on its driver's side bumper.
The St. Clair Area Fire Authority began the design process for the truck about two years ago and it cost about $578,000, to be paid for out of the agency's equipment budget and through financing.
Westrick said the truck was designed to be versatile, being able to respond to any situation except medical runs — for which the fire authority has another vehicle.
The truck holds about 1,000 gallons of water and carries about 1,700 feet of hoses. It carries six firefighters at a time.