PUBLIC SAFETY | FIRE

NEW FIRE ENGINE CELEBRATION

City of Tyler officials and firefighters celebrated the addition of a new fire engine by giving it a brief wash and pushing it into Fire Station No. 9. Members of the fire station, located at 9111 Paluxy Drive, then wiped down the engine.

The ceremony held on January 11, 2021 commemorated 150 years ago when firefighters used horse-drawn carriages to respond to fires. Back in those days, the firefighters had to hand-wash their engines and push them back into the station because they couldn’t get the horses to back up.

City leadership and firefighters pushed the engine into its new home at Station No. 9. Chief David Coble said this engine cost $640,000 and replaced an engine that was over 15 years old. The older engine is going into the department’s reserve fleet.

Features of the new engine include 50% greater water tank capacity and all LED lights to light up the engine’s surrounding area better and save energy. “In Tyler, we try to be sensible with the residents’ money,” said Coble. “We don’t shoot for the stars. We try to make sure we have adequate equipment for them to do their job, but still look really good.” City Manager Ed Broussard said, “Your Tyler Fire Department is here ready to go at a moment’s call, and they need the ability to get the job done when they come to serve you.”