Warner Robins Fire Department welcomes 75-foot ladder truck

WARNER ROBINS — The Warner Robins Fire Department welcomed another firetruck to its fleet over the weekend.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, fire department leadership, city leadership, and firefighters gathered at Station One on N. Pleasant Hill Road for a push-in ceremony celebrating the new addition.

Ladder One, a 75-foot truck, will be stationed at Station One. 

City Administrator James Drinkard said the ceremony reflects a tradition dating to when fire department vehicles were horse-drawn.

“The apparatus literally had to be pushed back into the firehouse every time it was used. The symbology is that new piece of equipment coming online to serve the community,” he said.

However, equipment is only a small part of public safety, as Drinkard explained.

“The big piece of the equation are the men and women behind it that sacrifice themselves, put their own safety on the line, and charge in when others would run out,” he said. “That’s what we’re here truly celebrating today.”

Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Ned Dixon said the ladder’s placement ensures a quick setup on a scene. The engine is also easier to drive and features blind spot cameras, as well as more robust water management.

The truck will replace a fire engine that has been in service for over 27 years.

“We hope this truck will serve, hopefully, as long, and shows the dedication the [firefighters], as they take care of the equipment that citizens and mayor and council entrust us to use,” Dixon said.

Mayor LaRhonda Patrick said the purchase came from the city’s 2018 SPLOST funds and was a great deal, made possible by department leadership. Deputy Fire Chief Jason Mock said the truck cost the city about $1.1 million.

As Mock explained, the department used several measures, like buying pre-owned, to save about $900,000. The purchase was approved in March of this year.

“It was a blessing to us to find this apparatus from a place in Wisconsin that was no longer needing it. Moving on to a different brand, is what they were doing. And we were able to find it, inspect it, and get it. To me, in my opinion, it was meant for us,” Mock said. 

Fire Chief Albert Wright said the purchase was made possible by a joint effort between city leadership. He also gave credit to Mock and Dixon for their roles in planning and logistics.

“We have a mayor and council that supports our mission every day. We have a city administrator who is very good at what he does,” Wright said.

Mock said the purchase reflects the city’s commitment to a fire department that serves with professionalism, safety, and a focus on the conservation of life and property.

“We’ll serve by the highest standards by committing to ongoing training and education, staying at the forefront of public safety, remaining dedicated to citizens and maintaining honesty, integrity and respect for others,” Mock said.