When disaster strikes, the one thing that is worth having is the latest and greatest gear to ensure that whether it be a wreck, a house fire or strong winds causing major damage to life and land alike the best is being thrown at the situation.

Cedartown Fire-Rescue just got delivery of such a piece of equipment in recent days as Engine 1 came online at the department, freshly delivered and already getting use by firefighters going out on the job.

The delivery of the HME Ahrens-Fox provides additional space in the cab for firefighters, new equipment on the truck and a whole new paint job – though they are still sticking with white as the main colors.

The front grill even got an American Flag detail to continue to show off the patriotic spirit of Cedartown’s first responders.

In dire straits, the fire department can load seven men in the cab of the new engine, but typically it seats around four inside while other vehicles are deploying to various incidents around the county.

Fortunately for firefights, it still enjoys the fresh from the factory smell and hasn’t been inundated with smoke just yet.

The City of Cedartown spent just over $600,000 on the new engine, plus an additional $50,000 on equipment not included with the vehicle by the manufacturer. (Hoses, ladders, specialized items like radios and air packs are included when purchasing an engine, just the vehicle and pumps that run water through the system.)