The 354th Civil Engineer Squadron fire department officially added a new fire apparatus vehicle to its arsenal Oct. 15.
Eielson firefighters honored past firefighter traditions by pushing their new water tender, Tender 85, into the station.
“The original fire engines were horse-drawn carts and the horses weren’t able to back them into the station,” said Airman 1st Class Joseph Lehn, 354th CES firefighter. “The firefighters would take the horses off and they would push it in themselves.”
The new piece of equipment will act as a portable hydrant for the unit to use, but will also benefit the surrounding community.
“We will utilize the vehicle for areas of the base where we don’t have a hydrant system where we need water to fight the fire,” said Marc Hughes, 354th CES fire department chief of operations.