AT YOUR SERVICE – The Indian River Shores Public Safety Department and town residents celebrated the arrival of the town’s newest fire engine with a push-in ceremony last month.
Chief Tad Stone described the tradition, which dates to the 1800s. “Historically, firefighters physically pushed horse-drawn apparatus into the firehouse after returning from a call. While modern fire engines are far larger, the tradition continues today as a symbolic act representing teamwork, dedication, and the bond between firefighters and the communities they serve,” Stone said.
The new engine, which replaced a 2014 model, cost $613,000 net, with a $150,000 trade-in credit, and all of the equipment was transferred from the previous vehicle to save money. It took about six months to take delivery of the new engine, a vast improvement from Covid-era waits of up to three years.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
