The Granville Township Fire Department welcomed four new members last week, one of which was a $1.7 million, 77,000-pound ladder truck – which firefighters pushed by hand into the firehouse on S. Main Street in Granville. 

A ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 9 also included the induction of three new full-time firefighters, Jake Auman, Joe Welsh, and Owen Rodeniser. The department now has 16 full-time, 30 part-time, and five volunteer firefighters. 

The new firefighters were joined by their friends and family and were sworn in by Granville Township Trustee Rob Schaadt. 

“Being a firefighter and EMT is much more than just putting on a uniform,” said Chief Casey Curtis. “It’s about serving people on their worst day.” 

All three of the firefighters sworn-in last week had been serving the department in a part-time capacity and have now transitioned to full-time status. 

  • Granville Township firefighters push a new 77,000-pound ladder truck into the firehouse as part of a tradition that dates back to when fire equipment was hauled by horses.
  • Firefighters stand with the newest addition to the township.
  • Granville Township Fire Department Chief Casey Curtis addresses the fire department on Wednesday, Sept. 9.
  • A firefighter sprays down the township’s newest addition: a 77,000-pound ladder truck.

The new ladder truck replaces one purchased in 1998, which served the community for almost 30 years. 

“We don’t buy firetrucks all the time,” Curtis said, explaining that this truck is an investment in the department and the community it serves. 

He also expressed gratitude to “the residents and taxpayers of all the communities we serve,”  which includes Granville Village and Township, as well as Union and McKean townships. 

Construction of the new truck started in March of 2023. Curtis explained that all fire trucks are custom built and members of the department choose how they want the truck to be equipped to best suit the needs of the department.

“This truck is designed for us and our community,” Curtis said. The truck was officially brought into commission through two long-standing traditions. The first is the spraying the truck with water as a symbol of hope that the truck will serve the community for years to come. 

The second tradition was the “push in,” in which all of the firefighters push the truck into the station together. Curtis explained that the tradition dates to a time when fire equipment was pulled by horses. Since horses are difficult to back up, firefighters would unhitch the horses and push the equipment into the station.

This ceremony was a testament to the teamwork and dedication of the Granville Township Fire Department at a time when many other fire departments in the county are struggling. Curtis attributes the success of the department to the culture they have worked to create. 

“I firmly believe that if you treat your people well, word travels, and then you’ll get people who are invested,” Curtis said. One of the newly sworn in firefighters, Jake Auman, agreed with this sentiment. 

“I feel so honored and blessed to be able to work at such an amazing fire department and awesome community,” Auman said. 

After the ceremony, most of the firefighters went inside the station to enjoy refreshments. Brad Leckrone, however, pulled a rolling chair out back to sit with the retired ladder truck. 

Brad Leckrone, a retired firefighter, sits with the now-retired truck where he spent much of his time while serving on Granville Township’s fire department. Credit: Nora Meeks

“She lived her life, did what she was supposed to do, and now it’s time for her to retire, too,” Leckrone said. He has been a firefighter since 1989. He retired from another department and has worked part time at Granville since 2008. 

“I’ve spent a lot of time on this truck,” Leckrone said, leaning against its side and smiling. Then he explained that a fire truck has a ladder, and a fire engine sprays water. 

“The new ladder truck will do what this truck does and that truck,” he said gesturing to a fire engine parked in the garage. But he will always have a soft spot for the truck that carried him on so many of his runs for Granville. 

This story was updated at 6:20 p.m. to correct the year the Granville Fire Department purchased a now-retired truck. The Reporting Project regrets the error.

Nora Meeks writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of Denison University’s Journalism program, which is supported by generous donations from readers. Sign up for The Reporting Project newsletter here.