After detailing the tradition, MFD Chief Jeff Anderson welcomed those in attendance and recognized several people in the audience, including Morehead City Council and all those who worked behind the scenes to make the purchase possible.
Anderson then talked briefly about the fire department’s mission to protect the community.
“This is something we’ve been looking at over the past few years as something our city really needed to help protect our downtown area with the college, hospital, residential areas and other businesses,” Anderson said. “The Mayor and Council said that public safety was a main priority and they proved it by allowing us to move forward on this purchase. Our mission is to serve and protect this community and this is a great step forward in helping us accomplish our goals.”
Anderson said he, along with assistant chief John Northcutt, and a few others in a “tight circle,” worked closely to help find the right apparatus for Morehead.