The Ouachita Parish Fire Department (OPFD), in West Monroe, Louisiana has revealed that it received two new fire engines on Thursday 31 July 2025.
The trucks were unveiled with Ouachita Parish’s first “Push In” ceremony, which comes from a tradition in the fire service dating back hundreds of years.
OPFD Fire Chief Robert Moore commented: “Pushing so when he goes back to the all-way to the days of Ben Franklin where he was on a fire service, they would push in the horse drawn carriage or the steam engine.
“They would push it into the boat. So, when you put a truck initially in service like we did today, this truck has not made a call yet. But after today it’s going in service.
“As soon as we leave this building., This is the truck that’s going to be serving this community but pushing it and gives the firefighters a sense of ownership to community, a sense of ownership and pride into this vehicle. It’s going to be serving them on a daily basis.”
According to the OPFD, the new trucks offer features that will help cut down on response times and ultimately save lives.
Moore continued: “So, safety wise and FDA sets standards, so we have to follow the standards that are currently in place.
“The new safety features that are mandated to be in a fire truck include restraint systems and a lot of braking systems ride control different things such as that they’re all built in this truck. This train truck weighs over 50,000 pounds. It is a huge vehicle and it takes a lot of skill to operate it as well as maintain it.”
The Ouachita Parish Police Jury approved the purchase of both trucks, which cost $712,722 and were made in Louisiana.
Shane Smiley, Ouachita Parish Police’s Jury President said: “We’re just glad to be partners with the Ouachita Parish Fire Department.
“We’re glad to be able to work with them. We’re proud of our firefighters and the job that they do every day 365 days a year.”
The Ouachita Parish Fire Department, in West Monroe, Louisiana has revealed that it received two new fire engines on Thursday 31 July 2025.
