The public is invited to an exciting celebration to dedicate four new Rockdale County Fire-Rescue (RCFR) trucks to serve the community. 

The major event on May 4 at 5 p.m. at the Government Annex south parking lot, 1400 Parker Road, Conyers, will end with a ceremonial washing down of each of the units, including one recently donated to Rockdale Career Academy for students working toward certification as firefighters through a partnership between RCFR, the Career Academy and Georgia Piedmont Technical College. The RCFR Honor Guard will also present and post the colors.

“These new units will greatly reduce the average age of our current Fire-Rescue response fleet,” Fire Chief Dan Morgan said in a press release. “The units they’re replacing will be put in active reserve status and will also make the use of one of our older reserve units available to the fire program at RCA.”

The ceremonial washing down of the units will be done by water sprayed high into the air from a current 2000 year ladder truck that will be placed into reserve status. The new units will then each slowly drive under the falling water with their lights and sirens on. This will symbolize the new units being 'washed down ' for emergency service to the community.

The visual impact will be very memorable for the audience, Morgan said.

A short program of invited speakers will highlight the importance of SPLOST funds to the community, as well as the impact it provides when used as a positive tool.

“This equipment allows our Fire-Rescue teams to safely and professionally handle the everyday and serious issues that come up in our community daily,” SPLOST Oversight Committee Chair Allan Jones said. “It’s another way that SPLOST funds make this a great place to live.”

The four units cost $2.5 million – the two engines just more than $484,650 each, a heavy rescue squad at $615,000 and an aerial truck with a 95 foot ladder for $870,120.

“From the moment the County’s voters put their faith in us to buy these new units by approving the SPLOST funding for them several years ago we’ve been looking forward to this day,” County Chairman and CEO Richard Oden said. “Making the sacrifice to buy these units and invest in our public safety is something our citizens should be proud of.”

After the ceremony, the new units will be available for public viewing up close and for children especially to see and touch them.