CANFIELD — The Cardinal Joint Fire District took five minutes at their meeting Monday to head to Fire Station 2’s bays so those in attendance could check out the new ambulances that were recently delivered.

The vehicle tours were conducted by fire Chief Don Hutchison and Capt. Rob Tieche, who is credited with much of the design and layout.

Prior to the tour, former fire board member Joe Paloski was given a plaque honoring his four years of service to the board. It was during Paloski’s term the ambulances were ordered.

The new vehicles have several special add-ons that Hutchison mentioned.

“The front ends are designed to be deer proof,” he said. “We did have an ambulance strike a deer once.”

He also pointed out a door that will carry firefighting equipment and allow the emergency medical responders to head straight to a fire.

During the board meeting, approval was given to release the payment for the vehicles at $369,000 each. Hutchison said the two new ambulances should be on the road within two weeks.

Also at the meeting, the district hired a full-time firefighter / paramedic. Pete Oberacker was given the oath of office and his badge. Oberacker is from Canton, where he lives with his wife, Kathryn, and two sons, Max and Ted.

“I am good friends with CJFD Lt. Herb Fogle,” Oberacker said. “He talked me into coming to Canfield.”

Oberacker served 17 years in the Marine Corps and National Guard, and has been a paramedic for 13 years. He attended the University of Cincinnati for his paramedic training.

In other business:

• Hutchison reported he is adding a third member to help staffing at Station 3 on Messerly Road during the U.S. 224 bridge work. He said response time could be longer while the construction is going on over the next year.

• Hutchison reported 129 calls last month with zero fire loss, and 106 of the calls were for an ambulance. He said the district answered seven calls for mutual aid between Boardman and Austintown, and received no mutual aid.

• Board member Christine Oliver praised emergency responders for saving her mother’s life. Her mother suffered a stroke at Windsor House and was in immediate need of medical help. She said first responders were there in under five minutes and immediately transported her after determining the signs of stroke.