Honoring Tradition: Fire Department invites public to Sept. 11 push-in

The Boca Grande Fire Department will have a “push-in” ceremony to formally welcome their two new tender and engine, the T-231 Megalodon, and E-231 Silver King. The ceremony, set for 10 a.m., will include a short parade, a Sept. 11 moment of silence and the blessing of the apparatus. The department encourages the community to come out and help them celebrate.

The fire truck push-in ceremony is a cherished fire department tradition that dates back to the days of horse-drawn fire equipment, when members of the fire company had to push the equipment into the bay. 

Beginning in the 1800s, after crews returned from a call on horse-drawn equipment, the animals were unable to back into the station, requiring members to detach the horses and push the equipment into the bay. Over time, with the invention and adoption of motorized apparatus, the need to manually move the equipment was gone, however the tradition remains.

The New Equipment

E-231 Engine 231 Silver King

Chassis: Enforcer

Body: Pumper

Engine: Cummins L9

Horsepower: 450 hp

Pump: Pierce PUC Midship

Pump GPM: 1500 gpm

Tank: Foam/Water

Tank Size: 750 gallons

T-231 – Tender 231 Megalodon

Chassis: Freightliner

Body: BX Tanker

Engine: Cummins L9

Horsepower: 360 hp

Pump: Waterous Midship

Pump GPM: 1250 gpm

Tank: Water

Tank Size: 3,000 gallons