DENTON, TX, Apr. 4, 2025 – The Denton Fire Department (DFD) is set to make history with the introduction of Texas’ first electric fire truck, underscoring the City of Denton’s dedication to advancing innovation and sustainability in emergency services. To commemorate this groundbreaking development, the DFD will host a ceremonial event at 4 p.m. on April 11, 2025, at Fire Station 1, located at 332 East Hickory St.
The event, known as a ‘push-in’ ceremony, invites the public to participate in a time-honored fire service tradition. Community members are encouraged to help clean the new fire engine and push it into the station, symbolically inducting the new vehicle into active duty.
Remarkably, Fire Station 1, which will be the new home of the electric fire truck, is situated on the site of the historic Hickory Street Diesel Plant. This location was Denton’s first electric plant, constructed in 1935. Firefighters colloquially refer to the facility as the ‘Powerhouse,’ making it a particularly fitting location for the first electric fire truck in the state.
The City of Denton Fire Department’s new Pierce Volterra electric pumper boasts cutting-edge technology, featuring a parallel-electric drivetrain. This innovation allows for zero-emission operation both in pumping and driving modes, with the ability to maintain consistent power through a backup internal combustion engine.
Denton Fire Chief Kenneth Hedges expressed his anticipation for the event, stating, “The addition of Texas’ first electric fire truck marks a new era for the Denton Fire Department and the future of emergency response. We are proud to be at the forefront of this innovation and look forward to celebrating this milestone with the community.”
This progressive step not only reflects Denton’s commitment to sustainability but also positions the DFD as a pioneer in the adoption of environmentally-friendly technologies in public safety operations. The community’s involvement in the ceremony is a testament to the city’s collaborative spirit in welcoming advancements that benefit the environment and improve emergency response capacities.