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Despite having been called into service several times since arriving in early January, the Hamilton Fire Department's heavy rescue vehicle 195 still has that new car smell.

It also has a long list of impressive features that make the work of Hamilton's volunteer firefighters easier, but also safer.

Walking around the massive truck (the drive train and chassis is the same as used for a tour bus), Chief Ross Hoham opens door after door showing the reason he calls the half million dollar vehicle "a rolling tool box". Each compartment has been designed for a specific purpose and in some instances, one particular piece of equipment.

At the back of the truck, Hoham slides out a large steel tray almost as wide as the truck itself. Secured in it are the tools no motorist ever wants to see used on his/her vehicle: the Jaws of Life, the hydraulic cutting and spreading tools for extricating accident victims.

The heavy rescue truck the new one replaced carried the Jaws, but not quite this way. Hoham said that as the new truck was designed, care was taken to be sure that expensive and essential tools like the Jaws were properly secured and easily accessible to firefighters.

But, more than that, placement of equipment was designed for ease and speed of use. Hoham said the new truck has an on-board 35 KV generator to drive a compressor system for the jaws and other equipment. Further, it is set up so that one member of the crew can access the Jaws, turn on the power to it and be able to carry it as far as 100 feet to an accident scene by his/herself.

Hoham said that in the past, it may have taken as many as three crew members to prepare, use and monitor the equipment.

The new truck, built by Pierce Manufacturing of Appleton, WI, also uses its onboard generating capacity to power a set of lights used to illuminate an accident or fire scene. The bank of lights is attached to a telescoping boom that can elevate and turn the lights into just about any position.

But, possibly one of the most impressive and most sophisticated features of the truck is its capacity to keep firefighters breathing safely.

Near the back of the truck is a rack holding numerous bottles, the kind fire fighters use with the airpacks they wear on their backs. Next to the rack are a compressor and an explosion-resistant enclosure used to refill those lifesaving air bottles.

Hoham said that in the past, the Scott airpack bottles would have to be returned to the station to be refilled. Now, that can be done at the scene of a fire. This means department members have a virtual unlimited stream of fresh, safe air while fighting a fire. It also means crew members and equipment can focus on the emergency at hand, instead of driving to and from the firehouse for more air.

A side benefit, this also allows Hamilton to refill air bottle for other companies that may be at the scene.

While the new heavy rescue vehicle is meant to save lives of those in need, it also protects the fire department members who use it.

Hoham says the old truck -- circa 1986 -- had an open compartment in the middle with a bench seat on which crew members sat on the way to a fire; that was not the safest way to get people to the scene. The new truck has a large front cab with seating for six. In addition to seat belts and air bags, the new vehicle has seats in which a firefighter's Scott airpack is recessed. He/She can take their seat and strap on their breathing apparatus at the same time.

"To me, that is the single biggest improvement," said the chief. "The safety of our people."

But, putting this new heavy rescue truck into service does not just benefit the Hamilton Department and the village. Because it is one of only a few such pieces of equipment in the region, this truck will be called into service to assist neighboring departments.

Hoham said the department is planning an opportunity for the public to get a closer look at the truck when nicer weather arrives.