There’s a long-standing tradition in the fire service that dates back to the days of horse-drawn equipment, when a new fire engine arrives at the station, firefighters ceremonially “push” it into place. On Tuesday, March 17, Macon-Bibb County honored that tradition in a big way.

The Macon-Bibb County Fire Department held a push-in ceremony at Fire Headquarters on Oglethorpe Street to officially welcome eight new fire engines into service. These engines have been deployed to Stations 5, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 17, and 18, strengthening emergency response coverage across the community.

Firefighters, County leaders, and community members gathered to celebrate the addition, which represents a major investment in public safety and the people who serve on the front lines every day.

“These new engines represent our continued commitment to making sure our firefighters have the tools they need to protect our community,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “When we invest in public safety, we are investing in the safety, security, and future of Macon-Bibb County.”

The engines were funded through the Special Purpose Local Options Sales Tax (SPLOST), showing how voter-supported investments directly impact essential services across the county.

“This is about more than just new equipment,” said Fire Chief Shane Edwards.  “This is a symbol of our ongoing promise to protect life, property, and each other. The new apparatuses represent significant investment in the safety of our community and in the men and women of this department. They are equipped with the modern tools and technology that will help our firefighters perform their daily duties.”

During the ceremony, firefighters took part in the traditional push-in, symbolizing both the department’s history and its continued progress forward.

With these new engines now in service, the Fire Department is better equipped than ever to respond to emergencies and serve residents across Macon-Bibb County.