By Robert Mittendorf
The Bellingham Herald
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham firefighters put the city’s newest fire engine into service Wednesday with a “push-in” ceremony at Station 2 in Fairhaven.
It’s a fire service tradition that dates back 200 years or more as one engine is retired and another one takes its place.
“It’s an important ceremony. We’re seeing a changing of the guard, so to speak,” City Council President Dan Hammill told The Bellingham Herald.
About 100 community members, city officials, firefighters and former firefighters leaned into the new Engine 2 and rolled the 37,000-pound rig into place in the Harris Avenue station’s apparatus bay. On the driveway “apron” outside the bay, sat the old Engine 2.
The new engine, a Pierce Enforcer like several of the department’s other frontline rigs, cost $830,000.
“This ceremony not only memorializes the arrival of a new piece of equipment, it is also a symbol of our ongoing commitment to protecting and serving our wonderful community,” Assistant Chief Dave Pethic told the crowd.
In the early days of the fire service, horses pulled the carts and wagons that held the tools that were needed at a fire. Then, as now, the firefighting apparatus is backed into the station so that it’s ready to race into action at a moment’s notice.
Since horses don’t back up, they were unhitched and firefighters had to push the carts and wagons for water, hose, ladders and steam engines into place.
When a new piece of equipment was bought — often with community donations — local residents were invited to christen it.
“This ceremony is a celebration of both the rich history of our fire service and the bright future that lies ahead. It is a moment to remember the sacrifices and heroic efforts of the firefighters who built this department and to recognize the hard work, skill and courage of those who continue that legacy today,” Pethic said.
Leo Shumaker of Bellingham told The Herald that he was impressed by the tradition and the community’s response.
“I was pleased to see so many people here. These firefighters do a lot for us,” he said.
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