Soledad City held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil a new ladder truck and a custom apparatus bay, city officials said. The purchase was funded in part by a $2,000,000 state earmark secured by State Senator Anna Caballero and roughly $800,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act, City Manager Megan Hunter told attendees.

The new ladder truck and upgraded apparatus bay are meant to strengthen response capacity as Soledad plans for higher-density housing and regional mutual aid, officials said. “This is the most significant investment in our fire department in decades,” City Manager Megan Hunter said. “These investments help prepare us for the future, including higher density housing and multi story development.”

Mayor Anna Velasquez said the equipment “represents more than just a vehicle” and stressed public safety needs as the city grows. She told the crowd the truck “provides hope to our families, additional housing options, and ensures every resident, regardless of where they live, is protected and safe.” Velasquez also said a mural honoring firefighters will be added to the side of the new apparatus bay.

State Senator Anna Caballero, who said she secured the $2,000,000 earmark, described the purchase as part of aligning state, federal and local resources to meet local needs. “When I was able to secure $2,000,000 as a state earmark…we had communities like Soledad in mind,” Caballero said, adding the vehicle will also bolster mutual-aid capacity for neighboring communities.

Cal Fire leaders attending the ceremony praised the partnership with the city. Battalion Chief Jason Luckenbach called the truck “critical” for improving emergency response and firefighter and resident safety as the city adds commercial and residential properties. George Nunez, unit chief for CAL FIRE’s San Benito-Monterey unit, said the unit runs about 8,200 calls for service and that roughly one-third of those calls originate from this fire station, underscoring the station’s operational importance.

Representatives from Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren’s office attended and provided a congratulatory video; Angela Bocanegra, speaking on the congresswoman’s behalf, called the project “a new beginning.” Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez highlighted regional impacts and presented a certificate of recognition; he said the apparatus will help support economic development and safety across the Salinas Valley.

City Manager Hunter thanked project designers and contractors by name, including Louis Vargas of In Studio Architecture and Peter Bruno of Monterey Peninsula Engineering, and acknowledged city staff Mark McClain (CSG), Alex Ramos and Don Wilcox for construction management and inspection roles.

The ribbon-cutting concluded with a public demonstration: officials said the ladder truck would be pulled out for photos, a demo would follow, and station tours would be offered to attendees.