Goldsboro, N.C. –-The Goldsboro Fire Department is gearing up to unveil its newest piece of life-saving equipment: Engine 5, a nearly $874,000 fire truck that will officially be welcomed into service during a traditional “push-in” ceremony on June 11 at Station 5, located at 3521 Central Heights Road.
This symbolic event, which dates back to the early days of firefighting when teams manually pushed their horse-drawn apparatus into the station, marks the beginning of Engine 5’s service to the Central Heights community.
Assistant Fire Chief Brandon Holland said the new engine replaces a nearly 20-year-old truck and is part of the department’s long-term apparatus replacement plan.
“The City Council appropriated the funds in the July 2024 budget, and we were fortunate to get a quick-build truck,” Holland explained. “It’s not a custom unit—it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles—but it’s built to get here fast and do the job.”
The total cost for Engine 5 was $873,952, which Holland noted is actually more affordable than past purchases. “A few years ago, a similar truck ran us about $300,000 more,” he said. “They’re easily million-dollar machines when you factor in everything.”
While Engine 5 is ready to roll, it’s just one step in the department’s fleet modernization efforts. Another engine is included in the upcoming fiscal year’s proposed budget, with hopes of ordering it by July 1.
According to Holland, the department aims to replace fire trucks every 15 years and then transition them into reserve status for another 10 years. This approach helps avoid skyrocketing maintenance costs, which typically begin to escalate around the 15-year mark.
“Our annual maintenance budget for the fleet is around $150,000,” Holland said. “Fortunately, these new trucks come with a two-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, which really helps.”
The outgoing engine from Station 5 will stay on as a reserve unit, ensuring the department has reliable backup equipment when frontline vehicles are out of service.
Holland expressed gratitude to the city’s leadership for prioritizing public safety. “We want to thank the mayor, city council, and city manager Matthew Livingston for their commitment to investing in the fire department’s fleet,” he said. “We can’t do our job without the right tools.”
The public is invited to attend the push-in ceremony on June 11, where community members can get a closer look at Engine 5 and celebrate another step forward in protecting Goldsboro’s neighborhoods.
