PORT ORANGE -- A new, high-tech fire tanker that towers above regular fire engines, carries more water than two trucks, and can travel through just about any rough terrain, has arrived in Port Orange, the first city east of the Mississippi to get it.
Unlike regular fire engines, the Wildlands Ultra XT holds eight tons of water, has six-wheel drive, independent suspension, and can maneuver through fine sand, over tree limbs, and other rough terrains.
The tanker, nicknamed "The Bull," can also shoot streams of water while moving, and without a firefighter manning a hose.
"If we were actually going through the woods, fighting a brush fire, we don't have to get out. We don't have to pull a hose line. We can fight it sitting right here in the truck," said Greg Morrisey, with Port Orange Fire.
Firefighters in brush-fire plagued Brevard County said it would have been a handy tool to have battling brush fires there. See related story.
The only problem left with the Ultra XT was that it was not yet in use, because firefighters were still learning how to use it.
Port Orange fire said it would be ready for its firefighting debut in about a month.
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