As the truck came to a slow stop, the bell on the front of the fire truck was rung and a dispatcher announced over the radio that the fire truck was in service.

The 2018 Pierce aerial platform fire truck replaced a 1998 Pierce ladder truck.

Hutchinson Fire Department chief Steve Beer told the roughly 75 people in attendance on Thursday that they were taking part in a firefighter tradition, called a wet down, that dates back to the early late 1800s.

The roughly $1.2 million fire truck made its way down the street while others fire trucks parked on the side of the road hosed it down, a christening of the new truck.

Black backed up the truck right outside of the bay, then firefighters told children to go push. The push-in represents how hand-drawn fire carts had to be parked.

After landing in the center bay at the fire station, children were given towels to wipe down the fire truck. Cookies and drinks were served and children were given plastic, red firefighter hats.

The motorist struck the back of Bellbrook Fire Engine 76, which sustained heavy damage and had to be towed from the crash scene almost exactly between Ohio 503 and Arlington Road. 

No firefighters were hurt.

The first crash was reported about 8:45 p.m. and involved a single-vehicle rollover with the vehicle ending up in the median. That driver also was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

The rear-end crash was reported at 9:09 p.m. Driver inattention is likely to blame for the second crash, crews said.

An increase in personnel, coupled with improved equipment and training has allowed the department to provide the city with paid on-call fire protection services on par with those of much larger, full-time departments like Cape Girardeau.

In addition, the department’s management has also kept costs low for the city, taking great care with its vehicles and equipment, making things last.

Every now and then, something needs attention. To that end, the department is currently taking bids for a new, larger rescue truck.

“Our current rescue truck we purchased in 1997,” said Assistant Fire Chief Bill Jones. “So it’s 21 years old. At the time we purchased it we thought, ‘Man, this is a big truck.’ ” 

Jones explained that in 1997, the department had purchased the vehicle to replace it first rescue truck, which was converted from an old Southwestern Bell utility truck that was donated to the department in the late 1970s. The move was exciting, Jones said. 

“The new fire engine you see in front of you is a 2018 Pierce Manufacturing Type I custom fire apparatus from Appleton, Wisconsin. This apparatus was acquired in October 2017. It is designed for reduced maintenance; increased safety; improved reliability; and additional storage. It features a 500 horsepower Detroit Diesel engine, 500 gallon water tank and 15 gallon foam tank. It took nearly a year to design and manufacture and required three separate inspection trips. Next generation TAK 4 suspension dramatically improves handling and ride quality while significantly increasing front tire life.”

As the audience gazed in admiration, Rueda briefly reviewed the day’s purpose: a traditional dedication of the vehicle.