La Junta community and the northeastern region of Parker County have a new engine to call their own. Revealed in a post by Parker County Emergency Services District 1, a brand new Engine 51 was officially placed into service during a Monday morning tradition known as a "push-in" ceremony. This new vehicle, a 2024 Pierce Enforcer "low hose bed" pumper, comes as a modern addition to bolster local emergency response efforts.

With a history of reliable service, the retiring Engine 51 will not be forgotten. Since its inception in September 2020, it has responded to an impressive 5,380 calls, including attending to 289 structure fires. Proudly housed at Firehouse 51, the previous engine has been a stalwart of safety for the community. Now, it will find its new home as Engine 54, continuing to serve the people of Parker County. As reported by the Parker County Emergency Services District 1's social media post, this transition will occur in the next few weeks.

This addition to the fleet is part of a larger initiative by the ESD 1. It marks the 5th apparatus of this specification that has been purchased since 2020. Built by Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin, the Pierce Enforcer is expected to enhance operational capabilities due to its advanced features, especially its "low hose bed" design, which is intended to improve firefighters' ease of access to critical firefighting equipment.