Fort Lauderdale is upping its fire rescue game. Last Friday the city christened Fireboat 49, a high tech response boat for the fire rescue team.
Fireboat 49 is replacing a much smaller vessel that the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department was using to respond to fires and rescue missions on the water. That could be anything from looking for something or someone underwater to helping out a cruise ship.
The new Fireboat 49 was named after Fire Station 49 in the city. It was purchased through a federal grant. It has sensors to detect chemicals, a sonar compartment and a platform for crew members who want a higher perch,
The boat is also scheduled to be the first in the marine line-up in the , Saturday, Dec. 9 in Fort Lauderdale.