Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services (CRFRS) is proud to announce the official launch of its newest fire truck, Unit 604, a state-of-the-art Rosenbauer 104′ Cobra Platform. The new addition to the fleet is expected to greatly enhance firefighting and rescue capabilities in Rocky Mountain House and surrounding communities.

On Thursday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m., residents and fire service members gathered at Station 60 for a ceremonial “Push-In” to mark the arrival of this high-tech apparatus. The truck, equipped with a powerful Cummins X15 600hp engine and a Hale Qmax 1750 GPM pump, is the first of its kind in the CRFRS fleet and is designed for rescues from heights and elevated fire suppression.

Fire Chief John Liadis says a select group of firefighters have been trained to use the advanced equipment on board, emphasizing that the truck provides a safer working platform for firefighters while boosting the service’s ability to respond to emergencies.

The “Push-In” ceremony for CRFRS Unit 604 on March 13, 2025 a Station 60 in Rocky Mountain House. (Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services)

The ceremony featured a demonstration of the truck’s capabilities and a chance for the public, including local children, to explore the new unit. In keeping with tradition, the Push-In Ceremony commemorates the historic practice of pushing fire trucks into stations by hand. While modern trucks are too large to push manually, the tradition lives on with one firefighter backing the truck into the bay as others walk alongside in uniform.

As the evening concluded, the truck was officially dispatched into service at 8 p.m., marking a new chapter in the region’s fire service history.

Special thanks were given to Rocky Mountain Phoenix and Rosenbauer for their role in the truck’s design and build, and to the community and local councillors for their support in making this upgrade possible.

Equipment on board Unit 604 in Rocky Mountain House is expected to better allow for elevated fire rescue operations, among others. (Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services)