The Columbus Fire Department will have a ceremony to welcome a new fire engine to Station 5, 100 Goeller Court.
The dedication will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, with the ceremony planned at 5:30 p.m. which will last about 30 minutes. An open house at the station is planned through 7 p.m., according to Capt. Mike Wilson, fire department spokesman.
Within the fire service, this event is commonly referred to as a “Wet Down and Push-in” ceremony. This tradition goes back to the era when fire pumpers were powered by hand. Following a fire, the horses would be separated from the pumper cart and both horse and pumper would be washed by the firefighters. The pumper would then be pushed back into the station ready for the next emergency call. In today’s modern era, a recreation of this event signifies placing a new apparatus into service.