Marietta Fire Department introduces two new engines funded by SPLOST at push-in ceremony

Deputy Chief Joe Pacheco announced at the Marietta City Council meeting that the Marietta Fire Department has taken two new KME engines into service, marking the department’s traditional push-in ceremony.

“We are excited to announce a special tradition here at Marietta Fire, the Push In Ceremony,” Deputy Chief Joe Pacheco said. He said the engines were funded through the 2022 SPLOST and equipped with updated features and technology. “These engines were funded through the 2022 SPLOST and equipped with advanced technology and updated features,” Pacheco said.

Pacheco said one engine will remain as a dedicated training engine at the department’s training grounds; two engines that were in service will move to the department’s reserve fleet. “Those two trucks … will just be rolled down into our reserves,” he said, adding that the city’s reserves are comparable to many departments’ front-line units.

Council members and staff thanked the department and noted the role of planned local sales-tax projects in enabling the purchase. No budget vote was taken at the meeting; the announcement described equipment already procured and deployed.

The presentation included a short video of the push-in ceremony and remarks of appreciation for staff who worked on specifications and procurement. Pacheco and other staff said the new engines are intended to improve consistency across the fleet and help crews remain ready to respond.