The replacement for the 1995 Chevrolet squad is a very similar vehicle. It is a stock crew cab, four wheel drive pickup truck with storage compartments added in the bed. The mission is still the same: to provide safe transportation for firefighters to and from emergency scenes, to respond to incidents where the capabilities of a fire engine are not needed, like carbon monoxide alarm calls and EMS assists, and to carry used hose and equipment back from fire scenes for cleaning and rehabilitation at the station.


As delivered, it is a purely stock truck. It has a V10 gasoline engine that offered a savings of nearly $5,000 on the initial purchase price over the diesel option. Since this vehicle is not intended to be used for calls where it will sit at idle for long periods, this was a reasonable option. It can accomodate five firefighters in full turnout gear, a full company response. It is also very useful for providing safe transporation to fire schools, training sessions and meetings.


One of the drawbacks of the older squad was that the transverse bed box made it difficult to reach some of the equipment. This vehicle has longitudinal boxes on the bed rails and an extending bed tray that makes it easier and safer to reach any equipment at any time.


In addition to utility hand tools and protective equipment for firefighters, this unit carries a carbon monoxide and gas detector, an automated external defibrillator (AED), a first aid kit with oxygen, and a firefighter accountability board. The vehicle was painted, striped and lettered to match the existing fleet. Its initial radio call sign was "Squad 255." In 2006, this was changed to "255 Squad" by a change in the Allegheny County Communications operating procedures, but the graphics remain unchanged.