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Macon‑Bibb places eight new fire engines into service, cites $6 million purchase to preserve Class 1 rating
Summary
Macon‑Bibb County officials held a push‑in ceremony to introduce eight new fire engines paid largely through a voter‑approved one‑percent sales tax; officials said the vehicles replace units averaging about 22.5 years in service and help maintain the county's Class 1 fire rating and related insurance discounts.
The Fire Chief of the Bibb County Fire Department announced the placement of eight new fire engines into service at a public push‑in ceremony, saying the vehicles are intended to bolster public safety and help the county retain its Class 1 insurance rating.
The new apparatus — eight engines purchased for about $6,000,000 in a single procurement, officials said — are being deployed across Macon and Bibb County to replace older vehicles that the chief said average roughly 22.5 years in service, with one unit moving to reserve status that is more than 30 years old. "8 brand new fire engines being implemented into our fleet, which helps us keep our class 1 designation," the Fire Chief said.
County and advisory‑board officials framed the purchase as the largest single investment in fire apparatus in the county's history. An agency official leading part of the ceremony said, "We're talking about $6,000,000 or 1, 1 check, for these 8 vehicles right behind us here today," and noted that maintaining a Class 1 rating yields an insurance discount for residents.
At the event, a speaker identified in remarks as Mr. Hershey also credited voters for approving major investments in recent years, saying ballot measures since 2011 had directed substantial funds to local projects and infrastructure. A chaplain led a brief dedication and prayer for the safety of firefighters before two engines — Engine 5 and Engine 7 — were pushed into their stations as part of the ceremony.
The Fire Chief highlighted that the new engines carry station‑specific logos created with firefighter input and recognized the department's operational and administrative staff, including Deputy Fire Chief of Operations Michael Williamson and administrative staff who managed budgeting and records for the purchases. A Rescue One response vehicle was displayed on site and is expected to enter service in a few weeks.
The ceremony closed with an invitation for attendees to inspect the new apparatus. Officials emphasized that the purchases were funded by the voter‑approved sales tax and described the investment as focused on improving response capabilities and preserving the county's Class 1 insurance designation.
