Put into service in January 2022. A 36,000-pound powerhouse of a Medium Rescue Unit built to handle the toughest challenges. Originally designed as an Air Supply and Rehab Unit in sunny San Diego, California, this versatile apparatus features an International Commercial Chassis with a rugged Pierce Body. Thanks to a collaborative lease agreement with PWA, the Metro West family of companies, and the decommissioning of outdated, unsafe equipment, we’ve brought this highly functional and critical asset home to South County.

But this isn’t just any rescue vehicle—it’s a mobile lifesaver. Equipped with an onboard compressor recently inspected and valued at $100,000 giving this apparatus a overall value of more than $500,000 and do to some creative thinking, all for the cost of a candy bar. Rescue 72 is ready to keep firefighters breathing in even the most dangerous conditions. Its six onboard storage bottles hold enough air to fill approximately 50 SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) bottles without even firing up the compressor. That’s enough breathable air for 40 hours on a fire scene—far more than we’d ever need. Plus, with its remote fill line and boost system, it can top off other cascade systems and maintain air quality no matter the conditions. It can even fill up to four bottles at once, making it a truly indispensable asset during emergencies.

Rescue 72 is more than an air supply unit—it’s a complete rescue and recovery machine. Outfitted with cutting-edge extrication tools, stabilization and lifting equipment, and technical rope rescue gear, it’s ready for anything from crash responses to high-angle and over-embankment rescues across the county. It also doubles as a firefighter support hub, with rehab supplies like medical equipment, water, and even an awning for much-needed recovery during large-scale fires. And the best part? We’re planning to expand its capabilities further through grants, adding equipment for hazardous materials and confined space incidents.