This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (May 2014) |
A wet down is a ritual celebrated by many volunteer fire departments in the United States in which squads of firefighters from neighboring towns ritualistically commission a new fire apparatus by anointing it with water sprayed from the visitors' firefighting equipment.
If two new apparatus' are commissioned, then it is considered to be a "Double Wet down". If three new apparatus' are commissioned, then it is called a "Triple Wet down". Or if four new apparatus' are commissioned, then it is considered as a "Quadruple Wet down".
History
editThe tradition dates back to the late 1800s, when fire departments used horses to pull a fire apparatus to fires. After fighting the fire, the crews would wash and ready the horses and the apparatus in preparation for the next call, then they would push the apparatus into the station's bay.[1][2][3]
Wet down at present
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "What's a fire truck wet down and push-in? A free, fun place to take toddlers Thursday in Plano". Dallas News. 2018-04-24. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "Push back ceremony held to celebrate arrival of new fire trucks". Seminole State College. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "Tradition: Wetdowns and Push-Ins". Fire Engineering. 2014-12-22. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "Wetdown and Housing Ceremony for Tower 6 | City of Paducah". paducahky.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ McComsey, Laura Taylor & Hannah (2020-03-10). "Lynchburg Fire Department dedicates new fire engine with traditional Wet Down Ceremony". WSET. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
- ^ "AFD Station 6 invites community to 'Wet Down' and 'Push In' ceremony for new truck". newschannel10.com. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
External links
edit- Handleman, Lillian R. "Wet Down Held for New Fire Truck", ReminderNews, 2 December 2008.
- "Truckin' in Fair Haven" Red Bank Green, 15 June 2009.
- "Dedication and Wet-down of Engine 35-2, Kinderhook Fire Department, 11 September 2005.
- Norfolk, CT Engine 40 Wetdown July 25, 2009.