City News & Updates

The Huntington Fire Department, city officials and others in attendance push a new fire engine into the Etna Avenue station on Monday. The "pushing-in ceremony" is a tradition that traces back to when fire equipment was horse-drawn and had to be pushed into the station.

The Huntington Fire Department officially put a new engine into service following a truck blessing and pushing-in ceremony on Monday, September 30.

The $917,000 engine replaces an aging 2013 model on which repair costs were escalating each year, Fire Chief Tony Johnson said.

“It was a cost benefit to replace it now, instead of waiting any longer,” he said.

The new truck, assembled by Pierce Manufacturing, has been fully outfitted with the essential, life-saving tools and equipment that Huntington firefighters use on the job. HFD spent about three weeks transferring as much equipment as possible from the previous truck, Johnson explained.

“We also have training with all three crews to make sure all our firefighters are familiar with the new engine,” he added.

HFD plans to sell the 2013 truck that was replaced.

During Monday’s ceremony, Mayor Richard Strick affirmed the City’s commitment to providing our public safety teams with the tools, training and equipment they need to “do their job well and go home safe at the end of the day.”

Father Tony Steinacker of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church performed the truck blessing, praying for the safety of all of the Huntington firefighters who will use the new engine.

HFD is currently in the process of hiring, with an immediate firefighting position open. Applications will be accepted until October 11. For more information and to submit an application online, visit the City of Huntington's careers page.