The concept of a technical rescue truck for the Santa Ana Fire Department was first established in 1930 by then Chief John Luxembourger. He believed that:

"The community of 40,000 persons could be better served in cases of an emergency, if the fire department had a crew of specially trained men and the necessary equipment. Disasters in schools, theaters or hospitals are not impossible and would place the city in an extremely awkward and embarrassing position if preparations were not made to handle such a condition."

The cost of refurbishing a 1923 Reo Speed-Wagon to meet their needs was $700, and service groups donated the equipment carried.  In the years ahead, the Santa Ana Fire Department has never been without a Technical Rescue Unit/Squad Apparatus. The Department’s 1950 General Motors Squad was replaced with a 1972 Ford Squad, which was in turn replaced by the addition of another truck company. This unit was designed from the ground up to be a uniquely capable apparatus for technical rescue. Mounted on the rear of the truck frame is a 14,000-pound capacity articulating boom with a reach of 42 feet and remotely controlled by a wireless joystick. Mounted internally on the frame rails are: a 60KW generator, capable of both 120V and 240V service; a high pressure (6000psi) breathing air fill cascade system, capable of filling 38 air bottles; a 9000 Watt Command lighting tower mounted on the forward roof area; a large volume low pressure compressor for supplying demolition and other air driven tools; and a 12,000 pound capacity front mounted-remote controlled winch. Two Hurst tools with built in hydraulic hose reels augment these built-in appliances. All air lines, both high and low pressure, and electrical power cords are mounted on retractable reels. The remaining inventory is that which is designated in the State Office of Emergency Services Type I Heavy Rescue Apparatus.