Verona Fire Department Holding Wetdown Today

The Verona Fire Department will be having a wetdown for its newest apparatus, Engine 14, on Saturday at the Community Pool parking lot, 257 Fairview Ave. from 1 to 5 p.m. All are invited to attend as the department welcomes its newest engine into the fold.

In keeping with an old tradition neighboring fire depts attend and spray down the new apparatus. Wetdowns are done as a gesture of good will and to "christen" the engine for good luck and safe service.

The new engine, a 2011 KME Predator with a price tag of approximately $500,000, is fitted with enough pressure valves, gauges and other assorted gizmos to make it look like the command deck of the Starship Enterprise. However, a memento from the past is also proudly displayed on the front bumper. It is the fire bell from a 1916 Seagrave Fire Engine, from one of the Townships earlier trucks.

Although Engine 14 is the new kid on the block, it made its debut appearance in a big way: at a major Memorial Day house fire on Morningside Road.

The all-volunteer Verona Fire Department is made up of approximately 60 members. It has an extensive array of skills and special response teams, including Hazardous Materials Decontamination Team, Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) / Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST), Foam Team, Air Cascade Team, Truck Operations Team, and Large Diameter Hose Pump Relay Team.