Lebanon Fire District Receives Priceless Donation From Local Business (Photo) -07/04/25
Lebanon Fire District Receives Priceless Donation from Local Business
LEBANON, Ore. – In a powerful show of community partnership, ENTEK—an advanced materials company founded and headquartered in Lebanon, Oregon—has stepped up to support the Lebanon Fire District in a big way.
The Fire District will be sending a 2007 Pierce fire engine to Fire Trucks Unlimited, located in Henderson, Nevada, where it will undergo a complete refurbishment. The work will include a full rebuild of the engine, transmission, and pump, along with new paint and upholstery to restore both the interior and exterior. With the cost of new fire engines increasing by 17–21% annually since 2020, budgeting for replacements has become increasingly difficult. Refurbishing the engine will extend its service life at roughly one-third the cost of purchasing a new unit.
The collaboration began with a family conversation between Battalion Chief Blaine Suing of the Lebanon Fire District and his father, Marty Suing, ENTEK’s Director of Fabrication. When Blaine mentioned that the District needed to transport the truck to Henderson, Marty saw an opportunity to help.
“When my son told me they were planning to drive it down themselves, I remembered ENTEK has a manufacturing facility in Henderson,” Marty explained. “I brought the idea to our owner, Larry Keith, and he didn’t hesitate—he immediately saw it as a chance to give back.”
What would have been a costly and logistically challenging trip was transformed into a generous act of local support.
“This is a wonderful example of a public-private partnership and helps us be fiscally responsible to our taxpayers,” said Lebanon Fire District Fire Chief Joseph Rodondi. “Getting that vehicle to Henderson would have been a significant expense for the District. ENTEK’s support saves us thousands of dollars—resources we can now dedicate elsewhere.”
“This fire truck will serve communities for years to come thanks to this refurbishment,” added Chief Rodondi. “And that wouldn’t be possible without the support of hometown partners like ENTEK.”