The McDowell News
MARION, N.C. — On Monday, April 14, the Marion Fire Department added two new fire trucks to its fleet with a push-in ceremony.
The trucks have the latest technology, safety features and up-to-date life-saving equipment, said Acting Fire Chief Corey Presnell.
The ceremony was held at the fire station with Marion Mayor Steve Little, McDowell County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tony Brown and Presnell speaking. After the speeches, members of the fire department, city council, the county commission and city and county staff joined together to push the new fire trucks into the station.
The tradition of pushing a new fire truck into the station is a symbolic gesture that dates back to the era of horse-drawn fire apparatus when firefighters would manually push the apparatus back into the station after each call, according to a news release from the Marion Fire Department.
The delivery of the fire trucks was delayed by COVID-19 and material availability challenges. The project originated in 2021, with Marion firefighters collaborating with Safe Industries to develop trucks tailored to the Marion Fire Department’s needs, according to the department. After finalizing the specifications, the proposal was presented to both the Marion City Council and the McDowell County Commissioners in the fall of 2022, both of which approved the purchase.
In 2022, the city said the total estimated cost of the fully equipped trucks was $1,585,000, including equipment.
The city of Marion received $500,000 in state-appropriated funds to help with the purchase. The remaining project costs were secured through financing.
During the ceremony, Presnell said, “This is a special moment for us at the fire department. New fire trucks don’t come often, as most have a life span of 20-plus years, and to be able to receive two new ones at once is a huge deal. These men and women who ride these trucks work hard every day to serve and protect our citizens and having the right equipment to do their job is so important. We are very thankful for the support we receive, and it means a lot to these firefighters knowing they have your full support.”
After the ceremony, both trucks were officially placed in service and began responding to emergency calls, according to the news release.
In March, the city council approved the purchase of a new tanker truck for the Marion Fire Department. It will cost more than $450,000, according to the city. The first payment will be in 2027.
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