Waco Fire Department Dedicated Truck to Retired Lieutenant
The department honored a veteran firefighter by naming its newest equipment in his memory.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Awards
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The Waco Fire Department has dedicated a new $2.2 million tiller ladder truck to retired Lieutenant John Linda. This marks the first time in the department's history that an apparatus has been named in honor of a person.
Why it matters
The dedication serves to honor Lieutenant Linda's 42-year career and his long-standing advocacy for bringing a tiller ladder truck to the city. It establishes a new tradition of recognizing individual contributions to the department.
The newly acquired tiller ladder truck represents a $2.2 million investment in city emergency equipment. Retired Lieutenant John Linda, who spent the majority of his 42-year career at Station 1, was the primary advocate for its purchase.
The players
John Linda
He is a retired Lieutenant who served the Waco Fire Department for 42 years and was instrumental in advocating for the city to acquire a tiller ladder truck.
Waco Fire Department
This local agency provides emergency fire and rescue services to the Waco community and operates various stations, including Station 1.
The details
Firefighters and community members participated in a traditional push-in ceremony to welcome the vehicle into active service at Station 1. The event also featured public station tours and fire safety activities to engage residents.
Timeline
The dedication ceremony was held on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
Culture Shift
The department's decision to name the apparatus after a former member echoes the traditional practice of naming naval vessels after distinguished service members. This move represents a shift in local culture as it marks the first time in history that Waco fire equipment has honored an individual.
Residents can expect the new tiller ladder truck to be part of the city's standard emergency response fleet for future incidents. The public event served to highlight the department's latest safety capabilities and community engagement efforts.
The takeaway
Honoring veteran staff through institutional recognition can bolster department morale and community connection. Residents interested in fire safety should look for future open house events hosted at local stations.
Further reading
Learn more about local recognitions and community milestones in the Waco Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kwtx.
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