City replacing fire trucks

Lawrence firefighters will soon have new trucks to use when responding to emergency scenes. The City of Lawrence is currently replacing older fire trucks through the Fire Apparatus Replacement Program.

Last year Fire Station 1 received the city's only new truck. This year, two more trucks could be delivered to the city. The new trucks have tanks that automatically mix fire fighting foam and improved straps that hold equipment in place.

Bill Stark, administrative chief for the Lawrence Fire Department says that these new trucks are much safer than the trucks currently being used by the city.

"They have roll protection. They have side airbags, things you might see in a car. The trucks that we're looking at are the only trucks on the market that have frontal airbags. You just don't see that stuff in large trucks," Stark said.

The city hopes to replace all of its current fire trucks through the program, but no completion date has been set.