Merriam dedicates new aerial fire truck to serve Merriam, northern Overland Park residents

Merriam on Friday welcomed the latest addition to the fleet of fire equipment that serves the city: Truck 46, a $893,718 aerial truck.

A dedication ceremony was held Friday morning by the Overland Park Fire Department, which effectively merged with Merriam’s Fire Department back in 2014. The dedication included the cleaning of the tires and pushing of the truck into its bay, both traditions.

Capt. Pat Gantt said the department realized about five years ago — after Merriam and Overland Park began a partnership in which Merriam provides “fire coverage for the northernmost parts of Overland Park,” according to Merriam’s website — that the date for truck replacement needed to be moved up. Fire Chief Bryan Dehner said the purchase of the fire truck is not only the result of years worth of planning, it’s also a physical product of collaboration.