The Fire District 1 station at 196th Street SW and 84th Avenue West will soon be getting a new heavy rescue unit that could help save lives after an earthquake.

“This new unit carries gear and equipment to aid firefighters in a wide range of rescue situations including structural collapses like we’ve seen in Japan,” spokesperson Leslie Hynes said. “This includes shoring equipment to stabilize walls and debris to reach victims in void spaces, concrete-cutting tools and visual and listening equipment.”

The new rescue unit replaces a 20-year-old retired fire engine that had been converted to hold rescue gear. It can carry more than twice the gear and equipment.

A “housing ceremony” will be held Friday at 9 a.m. Several members of Fire District 1’s Technical Rescue Team are expected to be on hand. The team is made up of 38 firefighters with advanced training in urban search and rescue, confined-space operations, trench rescue, high- and low-angle rope operations and ice and surface water rescue.

A federal grant paid for most of the $450,000 unit.