The City of Gadsden held a dedication ceremony for the Gadsden Fire Department’s newest fire truck on Tuesday, July 23.
The new fire engine represents an investment of more than $1 million by Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford and the Gadsden City Council.
“Thank you to the city council for its help in acquiring this vehicle for the Gadsden Fire Department,” Ford said. “This [truck] re-places a 17-year-old apparatus that was past its prime, recently costing the city thousands of dollars per year in maintenance. Having reliable equipment increases our fire department’s ability to provide lifesaving services to the people of Gadsden.”
The new ladder truck is going into service at Station 4 in the Alabama City community. The old truck will now be moved into the city’s reserve.
During Tuesday’s ceremony, firefighters, friends, family and community members joined to form a bucket brigade to move a bucket of water from the old fire truck to the new truck, symbolizing the transfer of duty.