The Noblesville Fire Department (NFD) officially welcomed a new fire engine into the fleet Tuesday afternoon. NFD hosted a “wet down ceremony” before the new engine was marked into service at Station 73.
Photo provided by Noblesville Fire Department
The history of the ceremony began when pumpers were horse-drawn. When new horses or pumpers were purchased, neighboring firehouses, department chiefs and citizens in the community came out to celebrate the new addition. Local clergy came to bestow blessings upon the horse by throwing holy water onto it to protect it and give it long life, strength, speed and good health. The blessings were believed to ward off evil spirits that could affect the new addition to the firehouse.
“Traditions are very important in the fire service. They are how we pass down the pride and commitment to those who follow us,” said Chief Greg Wyant. “These traditions are a link to our past and to our future.”
Tuesday’s “wet down ceremony” included a blessing from NFD Chaplain Fritz Good, wetting down the new apparatus with water from Engine 73, drying the truck, pushing the apparatus into the bays and being marked in service by Station Captain Josh Brumbaugh.
Following the ceremony, the public was invited inside to view the new engine. The new engine will be housed at Station 73, located at 2101 Greenfield Ave.