The Grande Prairie Fire Department in Alberta, Canada will host an engine push-in ceremony September 12 to recognize the arrival of the brand-new fire engine, a 2022 Spartan Gladiator Classic Smeal Custom Pumper, according to a press release from the City of Grande Prairie.
On Monday, September 12, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. residents are invited to the Pete Eagar Fire Station on Resources Road for a traditional engine push in ceremony to officially put the engine into service. Local food truck vendors will be onsite at the fire hall for the celebration, along with guided tours of the fire trucks from the department.
Push-In Ceremony’s are a tradition dating back to the late 1800s when fire departments used hand-drawn pumpers and horse-drawn equipment. Upon returning to the station after a fire call, the horses could not easily back the equipment into the station. The firefighters work as a team to push the engine into the bay by hand.
About the New Engine
The new engine is equipped with several enhancements over the model it is retiring including:
- Additional airbags and roll cages for protection in the event of a motor vehicle accident.
- Agronomical hose deployment and equipment storage.
- Added vehicle extraction tool for faster motor vehicle extrication.
- Lower emissions from battery operated electric hand tools.
- Shorter turn radius of the vehicle for better access to certain neighborhoods.
The new engine will be stationed at Pete Eagar Fire Station.
For more information on the Grande Prairie Fire Department’s Engine Push-In Ceremony visit, cityofgp.com/enginepushin.
