Lawrence County Fire Rescue Expands Daytime Staffing, Adds New Rapid Intervention Truck

Lawrence County Fire Rescue has placed a new Rapid Intervention Truck (RIV) into service while increasing its daytime staffing from four to six personnel.

According to the department, the additional personnel and apparatus will help improve response times in the central portion of Lawrence County, an area that has continued to experience delays during daytime hours. Previously, crews were staffed at one station in the northern part of the county and one in the southern part.

The new four-wheel-drive truck is equipped with a wide range of firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical equipment, including a compressed air foam system, hydraulic vehicle rescue tools, lifting air bags, rope and water rescue equipment, hazardous materials equipment, thermal imaging camera, chainsaws, gas monitors, and other specialized tools. The department said the new vehicle replaces a 12-year-old Ford Explorer that carried limited equipment.

Fire officials emphasized that the Rapid Intervention Truck is not intended to replace full-size fire engines or tankers but instead serves as an additional resource that can respond more quickly to many emergency calls. The unit is expected to be used primarily on motor vehicle crashes, medical emergencies, rope and water rescues, carbon monoxide alarms, and other incidents, while traditional fire apparatus will continue responding to structure fires.

The department said the new truck is a key part of the daytime staffing program launched in August 2025 to supplement volunteer firefighters when volunteer availability is lowest during the day. Lawrence County Fire Rescue provides fire protection and emergency response across approximately 617 square miles.

The department thanked the Lawrence County Commission, County Executive, the community, and its members for helping make the new apparatus and expanded staffing possible.