From the Indianapolis Airport Authority Fire Department Facebook post Jan. 21:
Firefighters, retirees and officials at the Indianapolis International Airport recently celebrated the arrival of two new aircraft rescue firefighting apparatus, which included ceremonial traditions practiced among firefighters dating back to the 1800s. The event demonstrated the fellowship and team connection candidates looking to serve among Indy airport first responders can expect to find.
Firefighters, retirees, and officials at the Indianapolis International Airport celebrated the in-service of two new Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Trucks. The ceremony involved several traditions, starting with a wet down, where hoses from the old trucks were used to wet the new truck. The wet-down ceremony dates back to the late 1800s when a new fire apparatus was washed with water from an outgoing apparatus. The anointing was a way of symbolizing good luck, safe responses, and passing the proverbial torch.
Next, a push-in tradition took place where Firefighters pushed the truck into the station. The push-in ceremony is a fire service tradition that dates back to the late 1800s when fire departments used horse-drawn equipment. Upon returning to the station after a fire call, the horses could not easily back the equipment into the station. They were disconnected from the fire wagons, and firefighters would push the equipment back into the bay themselves.
A Chaplin from Indianapolis Fire Department blessed the trucks and all who ride on them. Radio calls were made, marking the old trucks out of service and the new trucks in service.
All attendees were given a memorial towel and used the towels to help dry the trucks as a symbol of pride.
The two trucks are specifically designed for aircraft firefighting. Each truck carries 3,000 gallons of water, 420 gallons of foam concentrate, and 500 lbs. of dry chemical firefighting agent. They have off-road capabilities, floatation tires, independent suspension, and can pump agents through two turrets while driving. It has a 50’ boom and a penetrating nozzle that allows the aluminum skin on an aircraft or cargo box to be pierced and flooded with a firefighting agent. A low attack feature enables the foam to be applied under a plane while simultaneously using an agent from the top. A center-seated driver with joysticks controls all these features from the vehicle’s cab.
The ceremony also included a push-in, a tradition that also dates back to the late 1800s when fire departments used horse-drawn equipment.
Indianapolis Fire Department Chaplin Father John McCaslin was also on hand to bless the trucks and all who ride on them. The event topped off with a radio call from the Airport Operations Center, announcing the old trucks officially out of service and the new trucks officially in.
Pervine said the two trucks are specifically designed for aircraft firefighting, each with the capacity to carry 3,000 gallons of water, 420 gallons of foam concentrate, and 500 pounds of dry chemical firefighting agent.
Each truck also has a 50-foot boom and a penetrating nozzle to pierce the aluminum skin on an aircraft or cargo box and flood it with a firefighting agent. In addition, each truck has a “low attack” feature that can apply firefighting foam under the aircraft, while simultaneously using an agent from the top.