The Diligence Fire Company in Summit Hill dedicated two new trucks on Saturday. The members also gave their chief a distinctive honor and made a solemn promise to the community.

Dedicated were two 2014 vehicles — a 1,250 gallons-per-minute Pierce pumper equipped with a 3,000-gallon Porta tank and a Ford F250 utility vehicle which not only has pumping capabilities but can be used for brush fires and rescue situations.

The main speaker was an individual who works as an executive for a prestigious, Nashville-based corporation and who was once a junior firefighter with the Diligence Fire Company.

Michael Wargo, HCA Healthcare’s Enterprise Vice President for Preparedness and Emergency Operations, mentioned the “valuable lessons” learned while a junior firefighter as well as when he served as a member of the Lake Hauto Fire Company and former Coaldale Ambulance Squad.

Fire Company President Kevin Steber welcomed the several hundred people who attended. “The dedication of these two units is not just the addition of equipment — it’s a promise. A promise that we will remain ready, reliable and committed to the proud tradition of service that Diligence Fire Company No. 1 has carried forward for generations.”

Longtime Fire Chief Shawn Hoben was called to the podium where Steber delivered the news that the firefighters decided to dedicate the pumper “in recognition of his many years of service, dedication and continued commitment to the mission of the Diligence Fire Company No. 1.”

Hoben’s wife, Judy, and three children all were in attendance.

The gregarious chief was visibly touched by the attention. Hoben is known for his positive attitude who is more comfortable praising others while content on keeping a low profile himself.

His voice cracking, he said, “thank you” and added, “This recognition is for everybody. I would not be who I am without the people who serve with me.”

“This community is filled with heroes,” he said. “I’m not one of them.”

He said one thing the fire department needs is more members, adding, “but the crew we have gets the work done.”

In introducing Hoben, Steber said, “His leadership, dedication and steady hand have guided us through countless emergencies, trainings and challenges. Beyond his role as chief, Shawn has always been a mentor, a friend and an example of what it truly means to be a brother firefighter and a servant to others.”

Wargo was only 15 when he had been a junior firefighter in Summit Hill and then served as a member of the Hauto Fire Company with his father, Bob.

“I’m one of you,” said Wargo. “This is home.”

During his career, Wargo has served as a flight nurse and administrator of Lehigh Valley Health Network-MedEvac, led the medical operations division of Northeast Regional Counter-Terrorism Task Force, and is a recipient of the “Director’s Award for Outstanding Service to Mission” by the Secret Service for leading the Pandemic Health Security and Medical Operations of the final 2020 U.S. Presidential Debate.

“It all starts here in Carbon County, Schuylkill County,” he said.

He mentioned by name some of his mentors in the Summit Hill Fire Department who are still active today.

He said one of the most important instructions he received from those teachers is the importance to detail, whether it be in rescue techniques or merely ladder operations.

“Little things like this matter,” he said. “Little things like learning ladders guides how you build yourself professionally, how you build yourself personally,” he said.

He said to the firefighters, “You have the best resources you could ever have. Appreciate the equipment, appreciate the leadership.”

Also offering remarks were Hoben, Carbon County Commissioner Michael Sofranko, Summit Hill Mayor Jeffrey Szczecina, David Wargo, president of Summit Hill Borough Council; Brad Hurley, who represented both state Sen. David Argall. and Rep. Doyle Heffley; and Bud Strauss, sale representative of Pierce Manufacturing.

Strauss related that he has retired but that the pumper which was dedicated is one of the last pieces of fire apparatus he had sold.

The Rev. Eric Gruber gave the invocation and benediction.

Joey Shelton, an engineer with the fire company, christened the utility truck with a bottle of champagne, while another engineer, Colton Black, christened the new pumper with champagne.

Prior to the dedication, an apparatus parade was held which featured nearly four dozen vehicles from 17 area municipalities and the Mahanoy City Firetruck Museum.

There also were ambulances in the line from Lehighton Ambulance and Hamburg Ambulance.

Circling the parade route overhead was a MedEvac helicopter, which Steber said was brought thanks to the efforts of Michael Wargo.

At the beginning of the dedication program, Steber held a moment of silence for the five individuals — a mother and four children — killed in a house fire in Franklin Township a few days earlier. Many of the firefighters in attendance had responded to that early morning fire.

Steber said of that fire, “It is a sobering reminder of the dangers our firefighters and first responders face and the importance of the work we are called to do. Today, as we dedicate this equipment, we do so not only for our own community, but also in honor of every firefighter who answers the call to serve and protect others.”

An hour or so after the dedication program ended, and while the band was still playing music as part of the festivities, the Diligence Fire Company volunteers were dispatched for mutual aid to a dwelling fire in Lehighton.