Today’s picture appeared in the Sept. 2, 1966 Stanly News & Press. This new fire fighting equipment was a converted Army surplus weapons carrier (1954 Dodge four-wheel drive) that the city had purchased earlier in the year. The truck held a 300-gallon tank of water along with a portable pump that provided pressure to a “deck gun,” also known as a “turret nozzle.” The truck could be connected to the pumps of several other fire trucks which would allow it to spread up to 2,000 gallons of water per minute. Because of its size and maneuverability, it was felt this truck would allow firefighters to get closer to a large fire. Overall, the investment in this vehicle had been less than $1,000. The photo shows Fireman Brian Harrington at the front, Bud Calloways in the driver’s seat and Fire Chief Tom Chandler handling the gun. {Lewis Bramlett – Stanly County Historical Society}