Mayor Kristen Brown and Fire Chief Dave Allmon are inviting community members to join the Columbus (IN) Fire Department in dedicating the newest City of Columbus fire engine with a special ceremony at 10 a.m. this Saturday at Fire Station 2, 2376 Arnold Street, at the Columbus Municipal Airport.
The ceremony will give residents an opportunity to help firefighters prepare the new Fire Engine 2 for service by washing it and pushing it into the station. Mayor Brown and Fire Chief Dave Allmon will welcome guests to the fire station, and firefighters will be on hand to answer questions and give tours of the station and fire equipment.
“The new Engine 2 provides updated, safer and more technologically advanced firefighting equipment,” Mayor Brown said. “This includes brighter lighting for increased visibility at emergency scenes and a 78-foot aerial ladder that enables our firefighters to perform elevated rescues and fight fires top-down from a safer distance. We welcome the community to check out these new features and join us in the dedication of the new Fire Engine 2.”
The ceremony is a traditional event known as a “wetdown” that dates back to the era when fire pumpers were horse-driven and powered by hand. Following a fire the horses would be separated from the pumper cart and both horse and pumper would be washed by the firefighters. The pumper would then be pushed into the station ready for the next fire. Today a recreation of this event signifies placing a new apparatus into service.
The new Fire Engine 2 is a custom-built, Cummins-powered Quint, which means it is a quintuple-combination pumper that provides five functions: pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device, and ground ladders. The 2015 Quint will carry up to four firefighters and has been outfitted with a full complement of firefighting gear as well as Advanced Life Support medical and trauma equipment.
The engine was custom manufactured for the Columbus Fire Department following specifications brought forth by an internal fire department apparatus committee. The committee, comprised of firefighters, fire officers and fire department administration, dedicated time and research to design an engine that fits the city’s needs.
The new Fire Engine 2 will offer increased maneuverability in traffic and easier access on narrow streets. It has a 500-gallon portable water supply in place wherever it travels and can easily supply additional water by hooking into a city fire hydrant. The engine is capable of pumping 1,500 gallons of water per minute. In addition to the standard functions of a fire engine, this piece of equipment also has a 78-foot aerial ladder that can be used for rescue, ventilation and elevated water stream.
The City of Columbus purchased the engine at a cost of $749,788. Last week it was showcased at the annual Fire Department Instructors Conference held in Indianapolis. Over 30,000 firefighters from all over the world had the opportunity to view the new engine at the largest fire department conference in the world.
The apparatus currently serving as Engine 2 was purchased by the City in 2000. This unit will be relocated to serve as Engine 4.
