‘ Out with the old and in with the new…’
‘ Out with the old and in with the new…’
WMPD holds ceremony for ladder truck switch
news@theeveningtimes.com
In a dignified ceremonial fashion last week, the West Memphis Fire Department made the last call for the 22-year-old Ladder Truck No. 8, named for the late Chief Mac Holmes.
Chief Wayne Gately told fond stories about his mentor as he retired the ladder and pumper “quint” (a quintuple combination pumper, or quint, is a fire service apparatus that serves the dual purpose of an engine and a ladder truck) before Assistant Chief Jeff Jones introduced the WMFD’s newest acquisition, a Pierce Ascendant, in a housing ceremony to the crowd on hand at Fire Station 1.
“This truck served us well for 22 years,” said Gately as he retired the Mac Holmes truck. He then introduced Debbie Holmes who spoke about her late husband’s career and the truck named in his honor.
“It is an emotional day,” said Holmes. “In 1994, then-Mayor Keith Ingram dedicated the truck in honor of Mac. Mac was so very humbled by that. He came home one day and said there is a half-a-million dollar piece of equipment driving around with my name on it.”
“When Mac became fire chief in 1987, he worked so hard and he had a vision,” she continued. “But he didn’t work as hard as the firefighters did. If he were here now, he would say ‘I didn’t do this, my firefighters did.’ We went from a 3
(More photos on Page 10) (ISO rating) to now a 1.”
Senator Keith Ingram was mayor when the old truck was purchased. He paid homage to Chief Holmes as the truck was retired.
“Mac Holmes was special because he loved his men,” said Ingram. “He was one person who changed the culture and direction of the Fire Department. Mac Holmes did that. He started a way of doing things in this department the best. He would be so proud to know that this is just one of 67 class one fire departments across the country. It was set in motion because he wanted to make the community safer.”
Chief Gately seconded the sentiments expressed by Ingram and saluted Holmes with his words.
“We aren’t the biggest fire department in the state, but we are the best,” said Gately.
In ushering in the new truck, Jones introduced the Pierce Ascendant, an impressive model, with a 107foot aerial features a 500-horsepower Detroit diesel engine and massive power train. The pump pushes 2,000 gallons per minute. The new truck will run on every structure fire call.
The city paid $896,700 for the new quint, which will cost over $1,050,000 with financing. Like the retired Mac Holmes truck, this truck is expected to serve a full generation for the city.
Chief Jones thanked Mayor Bill Johnson and the city for the new truck.
“As with something old that leaves, something new comes into this place,” said Jones. “We are very fortunate the city purchased this new ladder truck, one of the largest purchases the city has ever made. We are super excited about that and sad about the old one is leaving.”
With that a radio call was made for the old truck with no response and then out of service pronounced over the air. The Mac Holmes truck was driven away.
Next, firefighters observed tradition for the new truck, which was backed into its new home at Fire Station No. 1 on 7th Street, but not under its own power. Jones called on the firefighters to “house” the new 57,000pound vehicle by pushing it into the garage, manually.
In unison, the WMFD stood shoulder-to-shoulder and ceremonially rolled the truck back into its bay.
By John Rech
