City of Long Beach adds new firetruck to its fleet
By Toni Miles
The new Long Beach fire truck was on display at the April 7 Board of Aldermen meeting. (Photo credit Keith Clark)
The City of Long Beach has made a significant investment in safeguarding the community by adding a new fire truck to its fleet, which was on display outside the April 7 Board of Aldermen meeting, allowing residents to check out the new vehicle up close and to meet the firefighters who will be using it to protect and serve City residents.
According to City leaders, some of the firetrucks still in use date all the way back to 1999, 2000, and 2013, and adding this new addition will help ensure firefighters have the reliable, modern equipment they need to respond when it matters most.
The new firetruck represents a long-awaited upgrade for the City’s fire department. Officials say the truck arrives after years of planning and delays, a common issue nationwide due to limited manufacturers and backlogs in custom fire engine production.
Mayor Tim Pierce and Fire Chief Griff Skellie (Photo credit: Keith Clark)
Long Beach Fire Chief Griff Skellie emphasized the importance of the new engine, noting that much of the department’s existing fleet has aged significantly, with some vehicles dating back more than two decades. The newest truck prior to this addition was already more than a decade old, highlighting the need for modernization.
Designed with updated technology and improved maneuverability, the new engine features a shorter wheelbase to better navigate city streets. It also provides enhanced pumping capacity and reliability—key factors in emergency response situations where time and performance are critical.
Mayor Tim Pierce checks out the new fire truck (Photo credit: Keith Clark)
City officials framed the investment as a commitment to both residents and first responders. Mayor Tim Pierce described the new engine as a vital step in ensuring firefighters have the tools necessary to protect lives and property.
“This new fire engine represents an important investment in the safety of our community,” Mayor Pierce said in remarks surrounding the announcement.
In the coming weeks, firefighters will undergo training to become fully familiar with the new apparatus before it is placed into active service. Once operational, the engine is expected to play a central role in responding to fires, medical emergencies and other incidents throughout the city.
