A new fire engine will soon hit the streets of Crown Point.
On Wednesday, Nov. 6, the Crown Point Fire Department unveiled its new 2024 Pierce Velocity Pumper.
Firefighters pushed in the engine, a tradition dating back to the 19th century, when fire departments relied on horse-drawn pumpers. After returning from a call, horses couldn’t easily back the apparatus into the station, so firefighters would work together to push it back in by hand.
“Today, this symbolic push-in reflects the teamwork, dedication and pride we have for our equipment and our mission,” Fire Chief Mark Baumgardner Jr. said. “This is an exciting and significant addition to our department — a true testament to what can be achieved through collaboration and dedication.”
Baumgardner noted securing a fire engine is no small feat and gave kudos to the Center Township Trustee’s Office, which covered 50 percent of the engine’s cost, as well as the expense of the essential loose equipment and tools.
“It was a privilege working with the Mayor and the City of Crown Point. We have a good relationship going between the two government units,” Center Township Trustee Paul Bremer said. “Our goal is always to provide safety and the best equipment we can for the Crown Point Fire Department. We’ll continue to do that.”
Bremer added the township and City have partnered once more to purchase a new ambulance.
The new, $879,800 engine was ordered in February 2022 and received in September 2024 and will replace a 15-year-old engine in the department’s fleet.
“It’s more than just an updated piece of equipment; it’s a powerful tool that helps us keep Crown Point safe. Each piece of apparatus we add represents an investment in the health, safety and well-being of our community,” Baumgardner said. “With every fire engine, every tool and every trained firefighter — we increase our ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies.”
Baumgardner thanked the collaborators for the project, including the department’s firefighters and truck committee; Pierce Fire Apparatus; MacQueen Emergency; Mayor Pete Land; and Center Township Trustee Bremer.
Crown Point Mayor Pete Land said the engine represents the City’s commitment to keeping the community safe and thanked the Crown Point City Council, Trustee Bremer and the Center Township Trustee’s Office for their continued partnership.
“I've always been a firm believer that one of the City's most important responsibilities is to get our departments the resources they need to do their jobs; in this case, to help protect our community,” Land said. “By investing in our emergency services, we continue to take the steps, the investments, to keep Crown Point as a leader in all of Northwest Indiana.”
The new engine is expected to go into service next week, Baumgardner said.
