By admin 
MIDWAY, Fla. (WCTV) – Gadsden County marked a historic moment Monday during a ceremony at Midway Fire Rescue.
The station received a new $1 million fire engine for free – the first major engine the station has received since 1989, when the department first opened.
Nathan Yarusso, chief of Midway Fire Rescue, said the truck will be a useful addition to the department.
“Not only will this truck serve our citizens and our surrounding communities, but it is also a major safety issue for our firefighters,” Yarusso said. “This is currently the most technological fire truck in the South. It has technology that will work with us for the next decade. It is the best thing that has happened to our department in a long time.”
Yarusso said the truck has many features that this area and surrounding areas have not seen before. The truck has hazmat capabilities, meaning it could be useful in EV fires, and it has an alert system that alerts drivers with smartphones to slow down or move over when the truck is nearby.
The department rallied with state lawmakers and local leaders to secure a grant for the truck. Florida Rep. Corey Simon attended the ceremony on Monday.
“The wait time for a new truck is currently about 18 to 24 months and so it’s a blessing that you all got it in so quickly and understand the needs of this community,” the senator said.
Linda Bakker, a Midway resident, said the new truck is helpful for peace of mind and safety.
“Now we can sleep better at night knowing that when a fire breaks out somewhere in our community or environment that could protect residents, there will be something equipped to serve our community,” Bakker said.
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