The truck comes complete with an inside joke.

Dickens, foreground, takes a look at the bumper.

The joke can actually be read more as a way to honor the insistence of Truck Committee Chairman Ricky Dickens to have a truck that completely fits the needs of the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department than his fretting and worrying over it being installed, as some firefighters joked this afternoon.

The sticker inside the bumper, which can be opened and has two hose attachments, reads: “Ricky Dickens Memorial Bumper. In appreciation of your tireless dedication to ensure this front bumper was properly installed.”

“There were more questions asked about that bumper more than anything,” Dickens said as firefighters gave the new Ladder 141 the once over this afternoon.

The etching honoring Dickens.

The entire truck was the brainchild of the committee Dickens chaired and is completely different from the truck it replaces. “The old truck had disc brakes. This has drum bakes. This has a much better turning radius. We can turn this around in places like Brandy Court without having to back up.”

This truck is expected to get better fuel mileage than the old truck, Dickens said, and has an emissions system that should create cleaner exhaust. “This truck will do more and save the city money.”

Forrest Carpenter, a retired city firefighter, came to Station 1 on the avenue specifically to look at the new truck. “I love it,” the 1991 retiree said. “It’s something. I think it’s got everything on it.”

Fire Chief Stacy Coggins was pleased. “I think it’s been long overdue. It’s like a dream. The guys on the committee worked so hard and it all come to fruition. It’s just a joy to see a good piece of equipment for the guys to be able to serve the city with.”

The coming week will consist of putting the equipment from the old truck on the new truck, Dickens said. “E-One did some. We wanted to do the rest to save the city money.”

Plaque on the side of the truck.

Coggins said four departments — Davie, Gaston, Rheasville and Weldon — will participate in next Friday’s wet down ceremony at 5 p.m. at Fire Station 1 on the avenue.

The wet down idea was Lieutenant Kenneth Hollowell’s, Coggins said. “We’re trying to save some of the old traditions and give the guys a sense of ownership.”

Travis Mayo, president of Fire Connections in Rocky Mount, the E-One dealer, was pleased with the way the truck turned out. He said, however, “I have more to say about the guys than I do the truck. I was absolutely pleased to work with them. They didn’t go overboard.”