There’s a new fire engine in the City of Greer and the local department is inviting residents to get hands-on with the vehicle on January 30.
That’s when GFD will be placing its newest apparatus, Engine 41, into service with a traditional push-in ceremony. The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. at GFD Headquarters (Station 41) located at 103 W. Poinsett St.
Apparatus push-in ceremonies date back to the 1800s, when crews returning from calls on horse-drawn apparatus were required to push the equipment back into the bay because horses will not back up with a load.
The tradition phased out with the rise of motorized vehicles, but many departments continue to honor those early crews when taking delivery of a new apparatus.
GFD most recently held a push-in ceremony in 2020 when it took delivery of ladder truck Tower 41.
Residents of all ages are invited to join the push-in ceremony. Light refreshments will be served.