Hattiesburg, Mississippi – The city of Hattiesburg and the Hattiesburg Fire Department are calling on students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of William Carey University to submit name suggestions for Engine #2, the newest addition to the department’s fleet.

Purchased as part of the department’s fiscal year 2023 capital expenditure budget, the new Engine #2 will be housed at Fire Station #2, which serves the area around William Carey University.

In recognition of its location, the engine is wrapped in black and red, William Carey’s official colors, and features the university’s logos.

The engine it will replace, which currently serves as Engine #2, will be reassigned within the department’s fleet.

Submissions are being accepted while the new apparatus undergoes final inspection and preparation for service. Name ideas may be submitted at https://bit.ly/NameHFDEngine2. A panel will review all submissions and select a final name.

Names should have a clear meaning and reflect a connection to William Carey University.

“The Hattiesburg Fire Department continues to build strong connections with our local universities,” said Mayor Toby Barker. “This engine’s design is a tribute to William Carey University and the surrounding neighborhood, and we look forward to seeing how the university community chooses to name it.”

Engine #2 will be the fourth named fire apparatus in the Hattiesburg Fire Department’s fleet since 2017.

Other named units include:

Engine #4 – named Big Red in 2018 by Grace Christian Elementary students in honor of Coach Derek “Red” Jarvis.
Engine #6 – named Screaming Eagle in 2021 by three local elementary students, honoring The University of Southern Mississippi.
Ladder #1 – named Purple Rain in 2023, reflecting its service area around Hattiesburg High School and the Hattiesburg Public School District.

The total cost of the new Engine #2 was $585,000 and was paid for by the city’s municipal fire rebate funds.