Rural Metro Fire San Tan Valley Just Got a Major Upgrade — Meet Ladder Truck 845
San Tan Valley is growing fast, and Rural Metro Fire is growing right along with it.
On May 26, 2026, Rural Metro Fire officially added Ladder Truck 845 to Station 841 at 911 E Hunt Highway, bringing a powerful new resource to the community. On Saturday, June 6th, residents gathered to celebrate it in person at a public dedication and Push-In Ceremony.
What Ladder Truck 845 Brings to San Tan Valley
This isn't just a new piece of equipment, it's a meaningful upgrade in what your fire department can do for you.
Ladder 845 is a 2005 E-ONE Cyclone 75' Quint Aerial Ladder, and it expands the capabilities of your local firefighters in several important ways:
High-reaching rescues, getting to people in elevated or hard-to-access locations
Ventilation, safely removing heat and smoke from structures during a fire
Elevated master streams, delivering large volumes of water from above
Technical operations, supporting complex incidents that require specialized equipment
As San Tan Valley continues to add homes, businesses, and residents, having this kind of apparatus staged locally means faster, more effective responses when seconds matter.
"This ladder truck represents our dedication to the residents and businesses of San Tan Valley," said Garrett Holderman, San Tan Valley District Chief. "By adding this critical resource, we are not only keeping our promise but strengthening the safety net for our community as it continues to grow."
A Community Celebration on June 6th
Rural Metro Fire hosted the dedication and Push-In Ceremony on Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 8:00–10:00 AM at Station 841, 911 E Hunt Highway, San Tan Valley, AZ. The free, public event brought residents together for:
Remarks from fire leadership and town representatives
Tours of the new ladder truck
A free pancake breakfast
Community activities for all ages
It was a great opportunity for residents to meet their firefighters, see the new apparatus up close, and be part of a piece of fire service history.
What Is a Push-In Ceremony?
If you've never heard of a Push-In Ceremony, you're not alone, but it's one of the fire service's most meaningful traditions.
The tradition dates back to the 1800s, when fire apparatus was pulled by horses. After returning from a call, the horses couldn't back the equipment into the station, so firefighters would unhitch them and push the apparatus in by hand. Today, the practical need is gone, but the ceremony lives on as a symbol of teamwork, history, and community.
Watching a new truck get pushed into its bay is a small moment with a lot of heart behind it.
A Resource for the Community
This is your fire department, and Ladder 845 is here to protect your family, your home, and your neighbors, alongside the crew that shows up for San Tan Valley every day.
For more information, contact Public Information Officer Shawn Gilleland at 480.415.8897 or Shawn.Gilleland@ruralmetrofire.net.
See more about this story at NBC 12 News KPNX.
