By LESLIE KENT | The Arkadelphian

Approximately 70 community members joined at noon Thursday, April 27, 2023, with the Arkadelphia Fire Department to reenact a 400-year-old ritual performed by fire departments around the world when they put a new engine into service.

The commissioning service included an opening prayer by Rev. Lewis Shepherd and comments from the Arkadelphia Mayor Scott Byrd and Fire Chief Jason Hunt, as well as several Arkadelphia firemen. Lt. Beau Bishop explained how the dual purpose design would make the new unit especially effective for accidents on Interstate 30 while still being superior to the 14-year-old engine it is replacing for fighting fires within the city.

Bishop detailed the fire department’s extensive involvement in the design of the apparatus. With remarks concluded the crowd enthusiastically gathered at the front of Rescue 2 to push it into its new home and then enjoyed refreshments and tours of the new engine.

READ MORE: New fire engine paid for with funds from Move Arkadelphia Forward tax (January 2022)

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