Paulding To Commission New Fire Truck

HIRAM, GA — Paulding County will be getting a new fire truck on Friday.

Paulding County Fire & Rescue will hold a traditional "push-in" ceremony for the vehicle — a 100-foot ladder truck — at 8:30 a.m. at Fire Station No. 2 in Hiram.

The station is located at 535 Seaboard Ave.

The new truck, which cost nearly $1.2 million, was partially paid for by a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant.

"This grant is important to the safety and well-being of my constituents in Georgia," U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson said in a news release. "Funding enabled the department to purchase an aerial apparatus for its fleet to replace aging equipment and increase the ability to respond to incidents involving taller structures."

Added Paulding County Fire Chief Joey Pelfrey: "We are thrilled to be placing Truck 2 into service. It is a world-class piece of apparatus which will help protect the lives and property of our citizens for many years to come. And, it’s advanced features will help keep our firefighters safe while doing so."

A longstanding tradition, the "push in" is celebrated by fire departments throughout the United States. The ritual dates back to the 1800s, when horse-drawn pumpers were in common use.

Any time new horses or pumpers were purchased, neighboring fire departments, political figures and citizens from the surrounding community would celebrate. Local clergy bestowed blessings by sprinkling holy water for long life, strength, speed and good health.

Horses and the fire wagon were then washed, the horses fitted with their new harnesses, stabled and fed, then everyone in attendance would help push the fire wagon into its newly assigned firehouse.

Image courtesy Paulding County Fire & Rescue