The city also has plans to unveil a Marion Giants logo on the truck, according to fire Chief Steve Gorrell.
"The firefighters wanted to put something on there to show the public how they represent themselves," he said.
The Bible verse, which is located on both sides of the fire truck's ladder, is drawn from Psalm 23: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."
Gorrell said he considered other secular sayings, including "First in, first out" and "While others are rushing out, we're rushing in."
The department settled on the Bible verse because of what it represents.
Firefighters fear no evil because of their training and brotherhood, for example, Gorrell said.
But not everyone is happy about the choice of words placed on a city vehicle.
"I don't think any part of religion should be mixed with politics," said Marion City Councilwoman Ann Secttor, R-Ward 2, who is Jewish, adding that people should be unbiased and tolerant of other views.
Mayor Wayne Seybold said Wednesday that he had not seen the verse on the truck.
"But we need to talk about it, and if it's going to cause a problem, then we'll get rid of it," he said. "We've got a diversified community here in Marion, and we need to make sure that we're mindful of that."
According to Gorrell, the fire truck cost $428,000, paid for with city funds and a federal grant.
A Bible verse on a taxpayer-funded vehicle is unique, according to Fran Quigley, executive director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union.
However, it could be a violation of the principle of separation of church and state.
Quigley cited a ruling by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that stated a city seal could not have a cross on it because it associates government with a particular religion, something prohibited by the First Amendment's establishment clause, which reads, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."
