Seneca-Cayuga Fire Department

Rolls Out New Truck

A Look at the Nation’s New Fire Truck & the Man Behind the Wheel

It’s official: The Seneca-Cayuga Department of Public Safety has a brand-new fire truck! The truck, which was commissioned a little over a year ago, is the result of hard work and determination on the part of several individuals. Longtime Public Safety Director, Chris Arnold, oversaw the project from its inception, and worked closely with the business committee, and his team of volunteers, to bring the truck to fruition.

Mr. Arnold—a Miami native and Tribal Member from the Turtle Clan—has served as SCN’s Public Safety Director for over 15 years. The Department of Public Safety oversees the fire department, emergency medical services, and emergency management of tribal lands. To say that Mr. Arnold is a busy man would be an understatement.

As the only full-time staff member, Mr. Arnold is on call 24/7 and puts an immense amount of himself into the job. He credits his exceptional work ethic to his father. “I saw day after day, year after year, that my dad didn’t miss work—ever,” he said during an interview. “He put it in my mind that you stick with it and you don’t let people down.”

Mr. Arnold joined the department in 2007, right after it was re-established as a full fledge fire department instead of solely focused on wildland fire management. Since then, he has been instrumental in shaping the department into what it is today, which consists of 15 dedicated volunteers and himself.

The new fire truck came about after the motor blew on a 29-year-old “structural engine” in March of 2021. A structural fire engine is one of the most versatile tools a department can use to respond to fires, hazardous materials incidents, vehicle extractions, and other rescue scenarios. The motor incident left our fire department without one.

Action needed to be taken as soon as possible. Thankfully, the Wyandotte Fire Department loaned the SCN their backup truck while Mr. Arnold and others sorted out a replacement.

Wyandotte Fire’s generosity gave the department time to receive bids, and contract a company to build a new fire truck from the ground up.

The current Business Committee secured funding for the truck through ARPA, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. During the initial stages, Mr. Arnold worked closely with one of his volunteer firefighters, whose extensive experience and knowledge involving fire truck mechanics proved key. Together, they were able to design a first-class and costefficient truck with all the essential features.

In July of 2022, SCN’s new custom fire truck was delivered to the station—and with it—the comfort of knowing we have cutting-edge equipment to protect local Tribal Members in the case of an emergency. Perhaps more comforting than the truck itself is knowing who’s behind the wheel. Mr. Arnold and members of his team have undergone training all across the country, from extensive medical training to countless hours of fire training, covering all aspects of today’s ever-changing world of firefighting.

The new truck signifies yet another step in the right direction for the Seneca-Cayuga Nation. It serves as tangible progress—the physical embodiment of hard work put forth by those who made it possible. A special thank you goes out to Chris Arnold, department volunteers, members of the BC, and everyone else involved.