Joanne Williams
Editor
(Joanne Williams/TCJ – As State Rep. Angela Witwer [left] and State Sen. Sarah Anthony cheer them on, Olivet firefighters pushed-in their new pumper truck, with Chief John Collins behind the wheel.)
On a sunny and breezy Aug. 24 evening, the Olivet Fire Department celebrated its newest fire truck with thank yous and a ceremonial push-in.
More than 24 residents, representatives and fire department personnel gathered to witness a brief ceremony and a successful push-in of the truck, a state-of-the art pumper with a place for almost everything and everything in its place to help keep firefighters well-equipped and safe, and residents better served.
Chief John Collins happily took folks on a tour of the truck, opening doors and demonstrating equipment.
“There are a lot of things here that are designed ergonomically with safety in mind,” he said. A $1 million grant from the state, secured by State Rep. Angela Witwer and State Sen. Sarah Anthony, made the purchase possible. Both were on hand, along with Olivet City officials and representatives from the county and surrounding townships, to celebrate the occasion.
An older truck has served the community for 29 years, Collins said, and this replacement truck, which should last just as long, was needed.
Witwer mentioned her son used to be a firefighter, and she gave firefighters thanks for “helping people on their worst day.” She also thanked Anthony for joining with her on the appropriations committee to assure the necessary funding for this purchase.
Anthony said she is privileged to “just do good” for her district and looks forward to “bigger projects to come.”
Mayor Laura Barlond-Maas thanked the firefighters – “I really have an appreciation for them,” and City Council Member and fire commissioner Don Walker said this was a “great investment in safety” for the city.
Eaton County Commissioner Jim Mott was impressed with the “amazing technology” of the pumper, which was produced by Spencer Builders.
