 California experiences a variety of major disasters and fire engines deployed through the California Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System are often called in to respond and provide assistance. These fire engines are outfitted to support many different situations but when they're due for replacement it starts right here within the fire and rescue branch at Cal OES. Type 1 fire engines are the largest in the Cal OES firefighting fleet and are used mainly for structural firefighting and defense but as climate change results and more frequent and intense disasters firefighting personnel are often spending 14 to 21 days on their rigs. After input from crews in the field along with the creation of new technology our type 1 fire engines needed an upgrade. Cal OES fire chiefs Brian Marshall and Mitch Higgins work to design these engines with the latest innovations. These fire engines are like a home and office for our firefighters. We needed to improve storage space and increase efficiencies as our firefighters combat a year-round fire season. Because of California's familiarity with earthquakes type 1 engines also have been upgraded with tools such as the jaws of life for rescue missions and upgraded lighting and technology for visibility. Cal OES fire engines are custom-built vehicles which require highly specialized manufacturing to meet the demands for use for firefighting and incident response. In partnership with manufacturer HME a great deal of attention is spent at the drawing and specifications level of creation to ensure these engines are ready for anything. The apparatus are designed as multifunction units. They respond to traditional truck structure fires but also wildland fire incidents earthquakes and are also equipped to respond to vehicle accidents as well. These brand new type 1 engines have gone through rigorous testing and inspections to be ready for deployment throughout California. We spend time at the manufacturing plant to ensure Californians firefighters have the capabilities to respond to disasters throughout the state. Through the mutual aid system each of these engines play an important part to save lives and protect property statewide. To see more from us visit our website news.calos.ca.gov and follow us on all of our social media platforms.