North Charleston firefighters dedicate two new trucks

“I can think of no more stirring symbol of man’s humanity to man than a fire engine,” North Charleston Fire Chief Greg Bulanow said, quoting author Kurt Vonnegut at a ceremony dedicating two new firetrucks last week.

The new rescue unit and pumper are rolling out of the Leeds Avenue station.

They went into service immediately after the ceremony outside the North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center on Centre Pointe Drive.

Firefighters laid their hands on the new trucks while Andrew Driggers of the Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy said a blessing.

Then a crew hosed down the trucks in a traditional ceremony that goes back to the days when horses were exchanged and water was transferred from old to new units.

The trucks, both marked 207, replaced a 1995 engine and a 2002 heavy rescue unit.

They were built by Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wis., and are based on the Arrow XT chassis.

The rescue truck cost $665,687, and the pumper cost $511,846, according to Ryan Johnson in the mayor’s office.

The money came out of the city’s regular budget.

Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553.