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WATCH: Rockledge Holds Push-In Ceremony for New Ladder Fire Truck

By  //  July 20, 2026

Public Safety Director Chris Crawford calls it a Huge Day for Rockledge

WATCH: Despite a hard rain Thursday night, July 16, 2026, the Rockledge Fire Department, a division of the Rockledge Public Safety Department, held a Push-In Ceremony at Station 35 to put their new ladder truck into service.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Despite a hard rain Thursday night, July 16, 2026, the Rockledge Fire Department, a division of the Rockledge Public Safety Department, held a Push-In Ceremony at Station 35 to put their new ladder truck into service. Approximately 200 people attended.

Public Safety Director/Police Chief Chris Crawford opened the ceremony by welcoming those in attendance. My broadcasting partner, Orville Susong, talked with Crawford about bringing the new truck into service. Crawford was beaming with pride when he said, “It’s going to provide huge services to our citizens, make our city safer, and make our surrounding communities safer. It’s just a huge day for us.”

Rockledge Public Safety Director/Police Chief Chris Crawford (left) talks with Orville Susong (right) after the Push-In Ceremony for the Fire Department’s new ladder truck. The dedication took place on July 16, 2026, with approximately 200 people attending.

Mayor Tom Price talked about the need for the ladder truck. Price said it was the first one the City has ever purchased. He said because of the growth of the City in recent years, especially multi-level apartment buildings, there was a definite need for this truck.

The Rockledge City Council, City Manager and Rockledge High School cheerleaders stand in front of the new ladder truck that was dedicated July 16, 2026. Approximately 200 people attend the Push-In Ceremony at Station 35.

I spoke with Fire Chief Jim Wilson before the ceremony and asked him about the firefighters and paramedics that will be using this vehicle. He said, “We are very much a specialty department. In order to put this truck in service the men and women in the Rockledge Fire Department went to specialty classes, rope operations, rope technician, vehicle and machinery rescue. They have become very adept.”

Chief Wilson went on to say, “They were already extremely good at the rescues that have been performed. This just gives them one more tool in the toolbox.”

Steve Wilson (left) talks with Rockledge Fire Chief Jim Wilson (right) before the Push-In Ceremony for the Fire Department’s new ladder truck. The dedication took place on July 16, 2026, with approximately 200 people attending.

Congratulations to the Rockledge City Council for having the foresight to make this investment for the residents. Rockledge continues to grow and this is a win-win, for those that call Rockledge their home.

Pictured is the City of Rockledge new ladder fire truck before the Push-In Ceremony for the Fire Department’s new ladder truck. The dedication took place on July 16, 2026, with approximately 200 people attending.
As part of the push-in tradition, firefighters and residents dry off a new fire truck put into service. The Rockledge Fire Department recently held a Push-In Ceremony for their new ladder truck on July 16, 2026.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Steve Wilson moved to Brevard County in 1984 and has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 25 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports and the space industry, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

Steve Wilson was born in DeRidder, Louisiana and grew up in both New Orleans and Macon, Georgia.  He moved to Brevard County in 1984 and retired from local government as the Community Advocate/Assistant to the City Manager with the City of Rockledge in 2018.

Among the awards and accolades Steve has received over the years are 15 + year Rockledge Little League volunteer, Brevard Public School Jefferson Award Recipient, Rockledge High School Raider Booster Award 2001, 2006, City of Rockledge Employee of the Year 2006, Rockledge Kiwanian of the Year 2006-2007, City of Rockledge Quality Public Service Award 2008, 2012, 2017, Rockledge Kiwanis Citizen of the Year 2012-2013, Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Sportscasting 2015, Rockledge High School Leadership and Service Award 2016, Central Florida Humanitarian Award 2017, Space Coast Inspiration Award – 2018,  Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame – Lifetime Achievement – 2020, Ecofest Achievement Award – 2022, Quality Floridian Award – 2022, presented by U.S. Congressman Bill Posey, Florida House District 32 Constituent of the Week 4/20/25.

Wilson is especially proud of his chairing two fundraisers in support of pediatric cancer research through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in honor of Merritt Island resident Julie Spurlock that raised over $25,000.00.

He has been a partner, along with Orville Susong, for the past 26 years with the Friday Night Locker Room, a broadcasting team that covers and reports on a wide variety of local events that are of significance to the residents of the Space Coast and beyond. Their mission is to promote youth sports, support first responders and law enforcement personnel, and showcase community and charitable events that are produced by our nonprofit partners in central Florida.

The Friday Night Locker Room has awarded hundreds of sports achievement plaques to Brevard County student-athletes over the years. They have also awarded more than $18,000 in academic scholarships to Brevard County high school seniors.