KILLEEN, Texas (May 4, 2022) – The City of Killeen’s Fire Department unveiled five, new firetrucks during a traditional Push-In ceremony today, with military members, city staff and community residents in attendance.
“We need to make sure these vehicles can service the citizens of Killeen for 10-15 years in frontline status and another five years in reserve status,” Fire Chief Jim Kubinski said.
The day began with the vehicles on display from 9-10a.m. at City Hall. Fort Hood’s 1st Cavalry Division’s Horse Detachment then lead the firetrucks in a procession to the Central Fire Station on South 28th Street.
City Councilmembers approved funding for these vehicles, then it took 18 months to design, build and deliver the trucks, paying close attention to detail. The fire team chose a particular color pattern of gray and #90 red to stand out and distinguish themselves among the area fire departments.
Fire officials took everything into consideration, and it was no small task. The trucks have two, thousand-gallon-per-minute pumps and the ladder truck has six-wheel steering, which is rare, but allows trucks to get through tight roads and turns. The cost of the five vehicles was $4.8 million.
“With what we task our men and women to do, we need to make sure it’s the safest equipment,” Kubinski said.
The event concluded with a ceremonial “push-in” by City and Fire officials, as well as community members. The Push-In ceremony dates back to horse-drawn steamer engines. Horses will not walk backwards when they are under a load, so when a new steamer was delivered to a firehouse, the assigned members would have to push it into the firehouse.
There were also push-in ceremonies at Fire Stations #1, #8 and #5 throughout the day. Fire officials say there is still another month of training and getting tools and equipment mounted on the trucks before they’re officially in service on the city streets.
Killeen Mayor Debbie Nash-King, City Manager Kent Cagle and III Corps and Fort Hood’s 1st Cavalry Deputy commander for Sustainment, Steve Carpenter gave remarks at the event.
“The residents of Killeen should be proud, knowing that we have quality equipment being used by top-notch personnel, to bring you the services that the City of Killeen residents and the community deserves,” Mayor Nash-King said.