On Thursday, Oct. 15, Union County Fire Station No. 13 off Murphy Highway celebrated a major milestone with a fire engine push-in ceremony, welcoming a new apparatus that will strengthen emergency response capabilities in the county.
“We’re here to celebrate a victory, a victory of having a brand-new fire engine for this area, for Union County Fire Department,” said Fire Chief David Dyer. “So, it’s a victory not only for the Fire Department but for the citizens in this area and throughout the whole entire county. This engine does respond to every fire in Union County.”
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A fire engine push-in is a longstanding fire service tradition in which firefighters and members of the community physically push a new fire truck into its station to mark its official entry into service.
Friends, family members and other supporting community members attended the ceremony, bringing enthusiasm and hope for the new engine and what it means for residents.
During his welcome, Dyer shared the history behind the tradition, explaining that in the 17th and 18th centuries, fire departments did not have engines as they do today. Instead, water tanks were mounted on carts pulled by horses. After responding to a fire, firefighters would have to push the carts back into the station, a practice that continues today purely as a ceremonial tradition.
Following Dyer’s speech, firefighters and community members gathered around the new engine and placed their hands on the truck as they said a prayer over it before beginning the push-in, with hopes of bringing blessings to public safety efforts within the county.
Station No. 13 opened in November of 2023. At the time, the station operated with a 2017 engine that was half the size needed to optimally serve the area.
For the past two years, the Fire Department and supportive community members have worked toward securing a new engine for the station.
After receiving final approval from Sole Commissioner Harold Collins, the department was able to move forward with the purchase.
The new engine and its equipment were purchased with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax proceeds. Dyer said the truck itself cost around $683,000, while the new and necessary equipment to fully outfit the apparatus cost between $50,000 and $60,000.
The engine features a four-person cab, holds 1,000 gallons of water and can pump 50 gallons per minute. It also carries approximately 1,400 feet of fire hose and is fully equipped with the tools and supplies Union County firefighters need when responding to emergencies.
Dyer explained that Station No. 13’s prompt responses will remain the same, but the new engine will give firefighters better capabilities and equipment to serve the community.
In addition to responding to incidents within Station No. 13’s service area, the new engine will respond to every structure fire throughout the county.
The previous engine will remain in Union County and move to a volunteer fire station in Blairsville.
After thanking county officials for their assistance in purchasing the engine, Dyer recognized the residents whose support truly made the purchase possible.
“And of course, we want to thank the people of Union County, who provided the money and always support us in everything we do,” Chief Dyer said.
