CALDWELL, Idaho — Caldwell Fire Station 2 welcomed a new fire engine with a push-in ceremony on Monday.
The push-in ceremony originates from a process that was necessary at fire stations in the 1800s. At the time, all equipment was horse drawn, including firetrucks. After returning from calls, firefighters had to push the fire engines back into the stations.
As technology advanced over the years, the tradition remained. Caldwell Fire and other departments continue to have a push-in ceremony to bring new fire equipment into stations.
Members of the Caldwell community gathered around the station Monday in support of the Station 2 fire crew pushing in the new engine.
The 2024 Pierce Enforcer holds 1,000 gallons of water. Chief Richard Frawley and the rest of the Station 2 fire crew are grateful to the Caldwell community and supporters since tax dollars made the opportunity possible.
“We are blessed here in Caldwell to have a great community, a community that is family, and a community that supports public safety whether that’s a fire department or a police department," Frawley told KTVB Monday. "We know that when we ask for help the community is there to give us that support."
This is the second push-in ceremony in Caldwell’s recent history. The last equipment introduction was a new ladder truck in April 2023. Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner and Frawley expressed that the new Pierce Enforcer will ultimately save costs for taxpayers.
Caldwell community members and station firefighters continuously show mutual support and appreciation of one another.