Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus firefighter Josh Carney prepares to spray down the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024. Water from the tank of the retiring engine is used to wet down the truck replacing it in service.
The Columbus Fire Department acquired a new fire engine on Aug. 1, with a ceremony to welcome Engine 5 into the station.
The new engine, fully equipped with firefighting and medical equipment, can carry up to four firefighters. Engine 5, which is Cummins powered, cost the city around $868,000 according to a press release. It can pump 1,500 gallons of water per minute, and can carry 1,000 gallons on the truck. Engine 5 was custom-designed for Columbus, to meet the needs that a committee of firefighters and officials decided upon.
The “Wet Down and Push-in” ceremony on Thursday honors a time when pumpers were hand-powered, and washing was required after a fire. After the wash, the pumper had to be pushed in by hand.
Today, spraying water on the fire engine and pushing it into the station is a way to celebrate the addition of a new apparatus. Father Aelred Dean of St. Paul Episcopal Church gave the invocation and blessing for the engine during dedication ceremonies.
The former Engine 5 will be the training division’s first engine that is designated for training, and will also be used as a reserve engine.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus firefighter Josh Carney sprays down the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024. Water from the tank of the retiring engine is used to wet down the truck replacing it in service.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Lt. Allen Smith, from left, Columbus Fire Deputy Chief of Operations Mark Ziegler and Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon push as Columbus firefighter Josh Carney sprays down the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024. Water from the tank of the retiring engine is used to wet down the truck replacing it in service.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Chaplain Rev. Aelred Dean, left, of St. Paul Episcopal Church, and Acolyte Leah Boaz bless the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Chaplain Rev. Aelred Dean, of St. Paul Episcopal Church, blesses the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Acolyte Leah Boaz, right, holds a prayer book as Columbus Fire Chaplain Rev. Aelred Dean, of St. Paul Episcopal Church, blesses the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Chaplain Rev. Aelred Dean, of St. Paul Episcopal Church, traces the Malteses cross on the side of the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Acolyte Leah Boaz, left, holds a prayer book as Columbus Fire Chaplain Rev. Aelred Dean, of St. Paul Episcopal Church, traces the Malteses cross on the side of the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Chaplain Rev. Aelred Dean, right, of St. Paul Episcopal Church, blesses firefighters of Columbus Fire Station No. 5 during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Chaplain Rev. Aelred Dean, right, of St. Paul Episcopal Church, and Acolyte Leah Boaz bless the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Chaplain Rev. Aelred Dean, of St. Paul Episcopal Church, begins the invocation and blessing portion of the wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the Columbus Fire Department’s newest fire engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Capt. Mike Wilson talks about the history of wet down and push-in ceremonies during a ceremony to mark the Columbus Fire Department’s newest fire engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Chief Andy Lay welcomes guests to a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the Columbus Fire Department’s newest fire engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus Fire Chief Andy Lay welcomes guests to a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the Columbus Fire Department’s newest fire engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Firefighters and members of the public gather at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 to look at the Columbus Fire Departments new fire engine in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024. The Columbus Fire Department performed at wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the new engine going into service.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Firefighters and members of the public gather outside of Columbus Fire Station No. 5 to look at the Columbus Fire Departments new fire engine in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024. The Columbus Fire Department performed at wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the new engine going into service.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Firefighters and members of the public gather outside of Columbus Fire Station No. 5 to look at the Columbus Fire Departments new fire engine in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024. The Columbus Fire Department performed at wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the new engine going into service.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Lucas Anderson plays with a toy firefighter’s helmet before a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the Columbus Fire Department’s newest fire engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Columbus firefighter Josh Carney prepares to spray down the Columbus Fire Department’s newest engine during a wet down and push-in ceremony to mark the engine going into service at Columbus Fire Station No. 5 in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, August. 2, 2024. Water from the tank of the retiring engine is used to wet down the truck replacing it in service.
