Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services officially welcomed a new ladder truck to the fleet this week.
A "Push In Ceremony" for Unit 604 took place Thursday evening at Station 60 in Rocky Mountain House.
The brand new Rosenbauer 104’ Cobra Platform is the very first Platform in the fire department's service.
The truck features the new Cummins X15 600hp engine with a Hale Qmax 1750 GPM pump. The truck will allow for firefighters to safely perform rescues from heights, elevated master streams during fire suppression actions, as well as other rescue capabilities.
Before the truck was “pushed in” to the station, children and other members of the community had the opportunity to explore the new unit.
The dedication was concluded with a public radio transmission announcing the new unit is available for service.
History of the Push-In Ceremony
Early hand-drawn fire engines, ladder wagons, hose carts, and other apparatus of the 17th century had to be pushed back into the station by hand after every call. The horse-drawn steam engines that followed in the 18th century could be backed up. However, having to control the horses made it difficult to align the engine’s steam connections with the station’s steam connections. For this reason, the horses were typically disconnected and the engine was again pushed back into the station by hand. When the first motorized fire engine was put into service in the early 19th century, firefighters continued to honour the push-in tradition, which grew to mark each new purchase of fire apparatus alongside. Departments would retain the services of renowned artists to adorn the new rig and invite everyone in the community to participate. Fire engines were ceremoniously pushed back into the station in a grand display of homage and fire service unity.
The Modern Push-In
Fire trucks today are far larger than those used in the 17th through 19th centuries. Physically pushing units into the bay is no longer a viable option for some departments, particularly those with a limited number of members. Of course, breaking tradition isn’t a viable option either, so fire departments have gotten creative with their approach to tradition. Some departments have modified their push-in ceremonies by having one member of the crew back the unit into the bay while the rest walk alongside the fire truck in uniform. This simulates the act of pushing in while continuing to commemorate the symbol of dedication and unity that has driven fire departments for hundreds of years.
**with information provided by Clearwater Regional Fire Rescue Services
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