The Morrisville (NC) Fire and Rescue Department welcomes into service a new Pierce 100-fooot Ascendant tower fire apparatus during a wet-down ceremony on Saturday, August 21 at 10 a.m. at Fire Station No. 2, according to a press release from the city of Morrisville. The public is invited to attend.

A wet-down ceremony is a tradition celebrated by fire departments to commission new fire apparatus by anointing it with water sprayed from the retiring fire truck. The ritual dates back to the late 1800’s when newly commissioned horses would be washed along with the pumper at their assigned firehouse and then backed into the firehouse bay.

“I think it’s important to introduce the community to the new apparatus and ultimately they own it, so we want to ensure they understand the value and improved service they’ll receive from this piece of equipment,” said Assistant Fire Chief Nathan Lozinsky.

The new apparatus will be designated as Ladder 22 and is the first mid-mount platform in the department’s history. A mid-mount platform has an aerial ladder that raises and pivots from the middle of the apparatus. This allows firefighters the ability to position the ladder nearer to incidents in dense urban environments where operating close to surrounding structures is common. It also allows the length of the truck to be more compact without sacrificing the reach of the aerial, increasing maneuverability. In addition, the platform can be lowered to a steeper negative angle within a smaller footprint, making certain rescues easier.

The former Ladder 22, a 2008 KME 102’ Aerial Tower, will be the first of its type entered into reserve status.  Lozinsky states, “This enables the department to provide consistent capabilities when another ladder apparatus has to be temporarily taken out of service – something we’ve been unable to provide to date.”

Lozinsky adds, “We’re very excited to introduce the Pierce 100’ Ascendant Tower to the citizens of Morrisville. It brings the right mix of advantages and capabilities for our growing community.”

Decatur (IL) will soon have a new fire station and two new trucks for its fire department, according to a report published by illinoisnewstoday.com.

According to the web report, the new fire station will be built on Chestnut Avenue and will replace the current Station 7 at Decatur Airport.

The councilors also approved the two new fire truck apparatus with a cost of less than $1.14 million, according to the web site which also reported the new trucks will replace two vehicles that are 20 years old and have mechanical problems.  

City Councilors in Salisbury (NC) are considering purchasing a new fire truck for $1.17 million from a dealer in Virginia, according to a report published by the Salisbury Post.

According to the newspaper report, the money for the new truck is already included in the 2021-2022 budget which passed in June and any additional funds needed for the new truck would have to be appropriated in the 2022-2023 budget.

The truck is being sold by Atlantic Emergency Solutions, a Pierce dealer, in Virginia, according to the newspaper, which also report the price for the apparatus would hold until the end of August.

If the councilors agree to make the purchase, the truck would be built in about 14.5 months, according to the newspaper.

This unique museum on wheels honors local veterans, volunteers and supporters in the community!

NEW JERSEY — August 17, 2021 — Wreaths Across America (WAA) is proud to announce that its Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE), which has been traveling the country to honor our nations veterans, will make several tour stops in New Jersey. The WAA MEE will be in the Garden State for the first of multiple stops starting on September 8, 2021,

“The goal of the Wreaths Across America Mobile Education Exhibit is to bring community together and teach patriotism while remembering the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. “However, over the last year, in light of the current health crisis, we feel this exhibit has taken on even more meaning by providing the opportunity for people to safely participate in something that is both educational and inspiring, while supporting and giving back to the communities it visits.”

Video/Photo Credit: WAA Staff

The MEE achieves this goal by bringing the local community, veterans, active-duty military and their families together through interactive exhibits, short films, and shared stories. The exhibit serves as a mobile museum, educating visitors about the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes as well as serving as an official ‘welcome home’ station for our nation’s Vietnam Veterans.

Stops in New Jersey will include:

BERNARDVILLE, NJ – Wednesday, September 8 – The School of St. Elizabeth welcomes the WAA MEE to teach students about honor for local veterans and active duty military. The MEE will be located at 30 Seney Drive from 9am – 11am for schoolchildren only and then open to the public from 12:30pm until 4pm.

MANVILLE, NJ– Sunday, September 12 – Wreaths Across America (WAA) in Manville is proud to announce a local stop for the WAA Mobile Education Exhibit (MEE) national tour. The MEE started its tour at the WAA Headquarters in Maine and will be in the area on 9/12/21 from 9:00AM to 4:00PM for a scheduled event that is both free and open to the public. This event is presented by Girl Scout Cadette Troop 60171 and will take place at the Manville Library, located at 100 So. 10th Ave., Manville, New Jersey. 

Additional stops are still pending.

When the MEE pulls into your area, all veterans, active-duty military, their families, and the local community members are invited and encouraged to visit, take a tour and speak with WAA representatives and volunteers. They can also share more about the national nonprofit, and the work its volunteers do to support our heroes and their communities year-round.

The public tours for the MEE are free and open to the public with social distancing, sanitation and COVID-19 safety procedures in place to protect the health of all visitors in accordance with the CDCs recommendation for large gatherings stemming from concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the media, dignitaries, veterans and other interested groups are urged to come, ask questions, share stories and experience this one-of-a-kind exhibit.

To host the MEE in your community, whether it b