Paulding County to Commission New 100’ Ladder Truck
FEMA Funding Helps with $1.2 Million Acquisition

Hiram, Georgia – December 15, 2016. On Friday morning, December 16th , at 8:30AM Paulding County Fire & Rescue will officially commission Truck 2 into emergency service. The “Push-In Ceremony” will be held at Fire Station 2, located at 535 Seaboard Avenue, in Hiram.
A long standing tradition - the "Push-In" - is celebrated by many fire departments in the United States. The ritual dates back to the 1800's when horse-drawn pumpers were used throughout the nation's Fire Service.
Anytime new horses or pumpers were purchased, neighboring fire departments, political figures, and citizens from the surrounding community would celebrate. Local clergy bestowed blessings by sprinkling holy water unto it for long life, strength, speed and good health. Horses and the fire wagon were then washed, the horses fitted with their new harnesses, stabled and fed, and everyone in attendance would then help push the fire wagon into its newly assigned firehouse.
Paulding’s new Truck 2, which cost nearly $1.2 million, was partially paid for by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant. According to United States Senator Johnny Isakson, who helped obtain the award, “This grant is important to the safety and well-being of my constituents in Georgia. Funding enabled the Department to purchase an aerial apparatus for its fleet to replace aging equipment and increase the ability to respond to incidents involving taller structures.” Chief Joey Pelfrey added, “We are thrilled to be placing Truck 2 into service. It is a world- class piece of apparatus which will help protect the lives and property of our citizens for many years to come. And, it’s advanced features will help keep our firefighters safe while doing so. Without the support of Senator Isakson and the FEMA grant, as well as matching funds from the SLPOST, we couldn’t have procured this amazing ladder truck.”
About the grant program: Awarded through FEMA's Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, these funds are designed to help communities meet their emergency response needs without placing an additional burden on their local budgets. The AFG program awards over $300 million annually to fire departments and EMS organizations nationwide in an effort to improve public safety and responsiveness in times of emergency.