Caldwell Fire Department to Hose Down New Quint

It's a celebration more than 10 years in the making.

The Caldwell Fire Department will christen its first new truck since the 1990s when it hosts a wetdown of its $550,000 quint Saturday at Caldwell College from 2 to 8 p.m.

A quint, or quintuple combination pumper, is designated as both a fire engine and ladder truck. The capabilities of a quint include ground ladders, an aerial device, a water tank, a fire hose and a pump.

The new apparatus will replace an older pumper truck that the borough is selling for $40,000 on GovDeals.com, a Web site that allows government agencies to auction surplus or confiscated items through the Internet.

Fire Chief Tony Grenci said he's excited to celebrate the department's new versatile truck.

While a DJ will play music during the six-hour event, food and refreshments will be served. The buffet style dinner will include sausage and peppers, cheesesteaks, mozzarella sticks, raviolis, french fries and chicken fingers. Soda, lemonade and beer will be available in a refillable mug. Italian ice will also be served.

Children under the age of 6 are free, while the cost for those between 6 and 12 will be $6, and $12 for those above the age of 12. This fee, which includes a refillable mug and food, will go toward the expense of the wetdown, which will be held in the college's parking lot near the tennis courts.