COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) has announced the arrival of a new firefighting engine, saying, “With great pride and commitment from the City of Columbus to provide the highest quality of fire service, we would like to invite the community to participate in a brief ceremony to welcome your new Fire Engine 5.”
Columbus firefighters host a dedication event at Columbus Fire Station 5, 100 Goeller Ct, on Thursday, August 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. An official ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m. Limited parking is available at the fire station.
Fire service agencies commonly call this event a “Wet Down and Push-in” ceremony. This tradition goes back to when fire pumpers were powered by hand. Following a fire, the horses would be separated from the pumper cart and the firefighters would wash both horse and pumper. 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.
The new Engine 5 apparatus is a custom pumper that carries up to four firefighters. It will be outfitted with a full complement of firefighting materials and advanced life support, medical, and trauma equipment. The City of Columbus purchased the engine for $868,000.
The pumper was custom manufactured for the Columbus Fire Department following specifications brought forth by an internal fire department apparatus committee. The Cummins-powered custom E-One pumper has a 1000-gallon portable water supply and can pump 1500 gallons per minute.
The current Engine 5, a 2004 American LaFrance Pumper, will be reassigned to the CFD Training Division as its first designated training engine. It can also be used as a reserve apparatus.
