The wetdown ceremony took place Tuesday, Feb. 12, where fire personnel gathered at Fire Station 1 to participate. While the ceremony was held at that location, the new fire truck will be stationed at Fire Station 2 on McVay Street in Marshfield since it is a Marshfield Fire Protection District vehicle. During the event, Marshfield Fire Chief Michael Taylor spoke about the department and fire protection district’s history. Wetdown ceremonies are celebrated by many departments in the United States. Firefighters commission a new fire apparatus by “anointing it” with water sprayed from the retiring pumper’s tank or from a neighboring firehouse apparatus. The ritual dates back to the late 1800s, when horse-drawn pumpers were used throughout the nation’s fire service. Taylor explained horses that were commissioned for the service would be washed along with the pumper at their newly assigned firehouse and backed into the firehouse bay. The firefighters would then fit the new horse with its harness, placing the company in service. After every run, firefighters had to hand-push the pumpers back into the bay and array themselves for the next alarm, and this is the origin of the push-in part of the observance.

It’s the department’s newest vehicle. Rescue Engine No. 1 will go on fire calls but will also serve as a vehicle rescue unit. Firefighters, who got their first look at the truck Monday, were impressed.

 

The 2018 Pierce Enforcer Rescue Engine was purchased from Atlantic Emergency Solutions for almost $560,000. It was previously used as a demonstration model, which helped cut down on the cost, Fire Chief Marc Brade said.

Despite the damage to its building, Hopewell Hose Fire Company No. 1 was able to continue responding to calls, according to the department. No injuries were reported at station off Route 376.

Dutchess and Ulster counties were under a high wind warning from 7 p.m. Sunday to 7 p.m. Monday. Wind gusts were forecast to reach up to 60 miles per hour and resulted in as many as 10,000 customers at one point without power across Dutchess and Ulster, according to Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp.