The North River Fire District is proud to announce that Rescue 518 will officially be placed in service at Station 1 on April 15, 2026, marking a major milestone in the district’s continued commitment to serving the community.
This is the first rescue unit placed into service by North River since the early 1990s, representing a significant advancement in the district’s operational capabilities and community response model.
With the addition of Rescue 518, North River now achieves Advanced Life Support (ALS) service coverage at all five fire stations, ensuring every station is staffed and equipped to provide the highest level of pre-hospital emergency medical care.
Staffed by firefighter paramedics, Rescue 518 is a specially designed mini pumper-rescue apparatus that will primarily respond to EMS incidents and medical emergencies. The new unit is expected to significantly reduce mileage and wear on the district’s larger traditional fire engines, which have historically handled a substantial volume of medical calls.
“Placing Rescue 518 in service is a major step forward for our district and our community,” said Fire Chief Joe Sicking. “This unit allows us to better match the right apparatus to the right call, improve efficiency, and extend the service life of our frontline engines while enhancing ALS response capabilities.”
Local Fire Service History Roots
The 1986 Fast Attack Pumper, formerly known as Rescue 2 from the City of Palmetto. Much like Rescue 2 served the community, Rescue 518 brings that concept back into service, returning North River to a response model that proved successful many years ago. The addition of 518 reflects a return to a time-tested approach of using a smaller, highly capable unit staffed by firefighter paramedics to handle medical emergencies and fast response calls.
Rescue 2 has received national recognition, having been featured in the Pierce Manufacturing 75th Anniversary publication, a testament to its iconic place in fire service history.
The introduction of Rescue 518 reflects North River’s continued investment in modern emergency response resources as the district serves a rapidly growing community.
For additional information, visit North River Fire District’s website and social media channels.
