March 20, 2023 marked the first push-in for the Collierville Fire Department, but the ceremony dates back to the days of horse-drawn equipment
PRESS RELEASE
Purchasing a new fire apparatus is no small task. Ensuring Fire Engine 81 (a Pierce Velocity Pumper) fits the needs of the town of Collierville took many people from various departments, not just the fire department. While it is not a ceremony the Collierville Fire Department has done previously, marking this momentous occasion on Town Square seemed fitting.
“Since this is a new fire engine going into our original firehouse on Town Square, we felt it would be important to continue this tradition of pushing in the new fire engine into the firehouse,” said Fire Chief John Selberg.
Wet-down and push-in ceremonies date back over 100 years as a way for fire departments and communities to celebrate placing a new piece of fire equipment into service. These traditions stem from the days when the firefighters brought horse-drawn fire equipment back to the station following a call, washed it, and then pushed the apparatus back into the station by hand.
While current fire apparatuses are much heavier than 100 years ago, these ceremonies bring together the fire department, elected officials, and community members to mark the hard work and effort it has taken to bring new fire apparatus to the town.
Selberg welcomed the crowd for the first push-in ceremony in Collierville and explained that while he was honored to place Fire Engine 81 in service, the true work came from his predecessor Chief Buddy Billings who retired last July.
Chief Selberg also thanked the Apparatus Committee that oversaw the design and inspections of new Fire Engine 81, including Lt. Lisa Smithmier, Lt Ronnie Dunnigan, Driver Barry Spain, and Driver Randy Shive, Driver Michael Hunsucker, Driver Jay Waycaster, Firefighter Daniel Jacobson and Administrative Chief Mark King.
Elected officials, town administration and retired Chief Billings took turns spraying the front of Engine 81 as part of the wet-down ceremony. As the grand finale, Fire Engine 81 was then pushed into Fire Station No. 1 and placed in service ready to serve the residents and visitors of Collierville.
The 2023 Pierce Velocity pumper truck will replace a 24-year-old pumper at Fire Station No. 1. Engine 81 carries 500 gallons of water but has the ability to pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute. Engine 81 also comes with numerous new safety features and technological advances to help ensure a safer, faster and more efficient response.
