The Fire Company held a dedication of our new 2015 Seagrave fire engine today. Chief Geary welcomed our guests, and Mayor McCormac, Assemblyman Coughlin, and Council members Major, Spillar, and DeJesus said a few words. The engine was blessed by Fire Company Chaplin Bob Sullivan followed by the traditional wet down.

At the conclusion of the wet down, fire apparatus paraded to Merrill Park where food, beverages, and entertainment was available from 1 PM until 5 PM.

A long standing tradition in the fire service, a "wet-down" is a ritual celebrated by many fire departments in the United States in which firefighters commission a new fire apparatus by anointing it with water. The ritual dates back to the late 1800's when horse drawn pumpers were used throughout the nation's Fire Service. Horses that were commissioned for service would be washed along with the pumper at their newly assigned firehouse before being backed into the firehouse bay.