Los Alamos Fire Department Firefighters held a ‘push-in ceremony’ for their new engine Monday afternoon at Station No. 3 in White Rock. A ‘push-in ceremony’ is a tradition where a new fire truck is ceremoniously pushed into the fire station bay by firefighters. This practice, originating with horse-drawn engines needing manual placement, symbolizes the truck entering active service and honors the history of firefighting. It often includes a ‘wet down’ initiating the new engine. Its predecessor is being placed in the department’s reserved vehicles section. LANL Fire Protection Specialist Steve Dawald explained that the fire engine was nearing the end of its life and needed to be replaced. Fire engines are used on the front lines for 15 years, he said, and then used as reserves for five more years. Dawald said the new engine cost $1.25 million and was provided through DOE and NNSA. ‘It’s a blessing that these guys have brand-new equipment,’ Fire Chief Wendy Servey said, adding that a new vehicle brings new technology to serve Los Alamos County and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Before pushing the new fire engine into the fire station’s bay Monday afternoon, firefighters at Station No. 3 in White Rock ‘wet down’ their new engine. Here, Deputy Fire Marshal Joseph Romero is making sure the engine shines. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

LANL Fire Protection Specialist Steve Dawald, front, helps make the new fire engine sparkle for its official entrance Monday afternoon into White Rock Fire Station 3. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Firefighters gather for a photo celebrating the arrival of their new Fire Engine No. 3, Monday afternoon at Station 3 in White Rock. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com