The Honolulu Fire Department will be fighting fires and saving lives around the island in five new state-of-the-art vehicles valued at more than $2.3 million, after a blessing yesterday.

Three pumper vehicles and two rescue vehicles, purchased with city funds and federal grants, will replace older vehicles in the Fire Department's 72 front-line responders, some of which are nearly 15 years old.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who attended the blessing ceremony for the vehicles yesterday, thanked the City Council for ensuring "that our Fire Department is first class and has everything they need when they go out there and lay their lives on the line, especially when you call 9-1-1."

The three 2005 Pierce Quantum pumper vehicles, worth $420,000 each, will be assigned to the Kuakini, Kane'ohe and Wai'anae fire stations.

Two 2004 SuperVac Inc. rescue vehicles, worth nearly $530,000 each, will replace the only two rescue vehicles on the island at the Pawa'a and Kalihi fire stations.

"These apparatuses will allow us to continue to provide the highest level of protection for the community," Fire Chief Kenneth G. Silva said. "It'll allow for a fast and safe response throughout the island."

Wireless electronic technology, electronic pressure gauges, drop-down steps, larger cabs, floodlights and air conditioning are among the features found on the six-wheeled, four-door pumpers.

"The old truck was really bumpy," said Sheldon Hao, a firefighter at the Kuakini Fire Station. "The new truck's suspension will give us a more comfortable, softer ride."

Although the Kuakini crew hasn't used the fire engine yet, they talked about their new truck as the Cadillac of fire engines.

The new technology includes: