Champaign Fire Department Hosts Ceremonial Push-In for New Engine 156

On Saturday, April 7th, 2018, the Champaign Fire Department will ceremoniously “push-in” new Engine 156 into service at Station 6, 3911 W Windsor Road.  At 1:00 p.m., the new fire engine will be wet-down, dried, then “pushed-in”.  Fire prevention messages and tours of the station will be given after the ceremony until 3:00 p.m.

This tradition of “pushing” a new fire engine into service is from earlier years of the fire service when the steamers were horse-drawn.  Before a steamer was returned to the station, it was washed down by the firefighters readying it for the next alarm.  Being horse-drawn, the steamer was nearly impossible to back into its station.  Firefighters, and often members of the community, would have to push the steamer back into the station by hand.

New Engine 156 is a 2016 Smeal fire apparatus.  It is replacing a 2006 Pierce apparatus which will remain with the Champaign Fire Department as a reserve apparatus.

Community members and media are encouraged to attend this new tradition for the Champaign Fire Department.

 


Media Contact:  Randy Smith, Deputy Fire Marshal | Phone:  (217) 403-7212