Cass County firefighters use tradition to dedicate new engine

Josh Flynn, Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
·2 min read

Apr. 17—Cass County Fire District 1 celebrated its new fire engine Tuesday morning with two traditions used to dedicate new fire apparatus.

Fire Chief Stephen Fisher oversaw the proceedings, known as a push-in ceremony, that included the transfer of water from the older fire engine into the new one and firefighters pushing the new engine into the fire station.

"Historically, after the days of the bucket brigades, fire apparatus was pulled by horses or some even by hand," Fisher explained. "So therefore, upon returning to the fire house, after every fire call, the horses were detached from the rig and the apparatus had to be pushed back into the station by firefighters."

Fisher said the tradition continues today with a simulation as a driver backs the truck into the station and crew members push from the front of the vehicle.

"It is also custom when an older fire apparatus is being retired from service from front line use for firefighters to share some of the water from the old apparatus to the new apparatus, a sort of transferring of the guard from one truck to the next," he said.

The new engine is a 2024 Tonye fire engine and caries 100 gallons of water. It is equipped with a 1500 gallon per minute Hale QMAX pump. It has a Spartan Custom cab capable to carrying four people and is powered by a 450 horsepower Cummins engine and has an Allison 3000 EVS Transmission.

"Since we respond to more than just fires, this engine has also been equipped with extrication tools, specialty rescue equipment, hazardous materials control products, along with other firefighting and medical equipment that makes this apparatus well suited to respond to the variety of calls for service our department does," Fisher said.

Fisher thanked the CCFD fire board, the Cass County Commissioners and county council, the taxpayers of Ell, Noble and Clay Townships, engine dealership Donley Safety and Bridget Enyert, the CCFD financial director, for their help in purchasing the new apparatus.

Fisher said that supply chain issues that began during the pandemic are still a problem, so when they found the new apparatus and saw it contained every thing they needed for the community they began quickly working to purchase the vehicle.

"It's not necessarily our truck," he said. "It's (the community's) truck. We are just providing the care for it so it's ready to respond."