The 628th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department held a push-in ceremony to welcome two new firetrucks, a P-26 water tanker and a P-26 aerial apparatus, to their fleet at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. Aug. 27, 2019.
The ceremony was the first of its kind at JB Charleston and brings the tradition of welcoming a new firetruck to the fleet to JB Charleston.
The practice dates back to when firefighters responded with horses and carriages.
“After responding to an emergency, firefighters would unhook the horses, clean their equipment and then push the carriage or apparatus back into a stall,” said Staff Sgt. Alexander Garratt, a firefighter assigned to the 628th CES Fire Department. “Now, the push-in ceremony is a way for us to remember their legacy and honor them.”
Members of the 628th Logistics Readiness Squadron also participated in the ceremony. The vehicle maintainers were recognized for enabling the firefighters to do their mission by servicing firetrucks with preventative maintenance. Alexander said the Fire Department relies on strong bonds with other units and within the Fire Department to keep the mission going.
“The Fire Department is all about brother and sisterhood,” said Alexander. “Without it, we aren’t able to get our mission done.”
The Fire Department responds to a variety of emergencies on base including fires, medical emergencies and more.
The P-26 water tanker can hold 4,500 gallons of water, allowing the firefighters to bring water to emergency scenes far away from hydrants or other water sources. The P-26 aerial apparatus has a 105 foot ladder allows them to suppress fires from above and rescue individuals in stuck in high places.