The Valdosta Fire Department (VFD) celebrated a time-honored fire service tradition March 25, 2025, with a push-in ceremony for its new Engine 1, the department said in a news release. The event, held at VFD’s Station 1, marked the official transition of the department’s older Engine 1 into reserve status and welcomed the new engine into service.

The push-in ceremony dates back to the era of horse-drawn fire wagons. In those days, after returning from a call, firefighters would unhitch their horses and physically push the wagon into the station’s bay. Over the years, this practice evolved into a symbolic tradition to commemorate the arrival of new apparatus. In keeping with another longstanding tradition, before the new engine was pushed into the bay, it was washed down—a ritual that represents a fresh start and readiness for service.

This year, the Valdosta Fire Department introduced a new element to the tradition by pumping water from the reserve Engine 1 into the new Engine 1 before the push-in. This symbolic act represented the continuation of service, strength, and dedication to protecting the community.

Before the ceremony began, Fire Chief Brian Boutwell spoke about the history and significance of these traditions. Battalion Chief John Herpin then led attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Deputy Chief Marcus Haynes offered a prayer over the new engine. During the prayer, those in attendance circled the apparatus and laid hands on it, blessing the truck and the firefighters who will use it to protect Valdosta’s residents.

Adding to the special occasion, children from the Boys & Girls Club participated in the ceremony, witnessing firsthand the importance of community and fire service traditions.

One of the standout features of the new engine is its traditional bell mounted on the front bumper. This bell, which can be rung from the Lieutenant’s seat, pays homage to historic fire apparatus and serves as a symbol of duty, service, and honor.

Now officially in service, the new Sutphen Fire Engine 1 will respond to emergencies and serve the Valdosta community.

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In this episode of our Water Delivery Podcast, Bill Adkins and Andy Soccodato join Chris Mc Loone to discuss getting the maximum flows to your fireground and how your supply line choice (5″, 4″, 3″, etc.) can impact the gpm you receive at the scene of a fire. They’ll discuss the topic from both rural and urban/suburban perspectives and will also delve into some of the designs behind the pump panel to consider to ensure you deliver maximum flows.
Brought to you by our friends at The Fire Store.

One of the core themes explored in the podcast is the crucial role of hose diameter in establishing a reliable water supply. Adkins asserts the need to use the largest hose available, often recommending a five-inch supply line for all fire scenarios. He emphasizes that even smaller fires have the potential to escalate, making it vital to have an adequate supply of water immediately available.

Soccodato suggests that while five-inch hoses offer a robust solution, it may not always be necessary in every situation, particularly for smaller fires where a three-inch or two-and-a-half-inch hose might suffice.

The podcast also sheds light on common misconceptions concerning fire hydrants. As Soccodato points out, hydrants are often misunderstood as being capable of delivering all necessary volume with sufficient pressure over long distances; however, this is not the case. Most hydrants are calibrated to deliver their maximum flow rate at a residual pressure of 20 psi, which is insufficient for overcoming friction loss in extensive supply lines.

When determining the appropriate supply line from a hydrant to the fire scene, factors such as line diameter and length must be highly regarded to ensure that friction loss does not diminish the flow’s effectiveness. This understanding becomes critical when firefighting involves hydrants with varying capacities, particularly in urban firefighting scenarios where high-volume hydrants must be strategically tapped.

A crucial aspect of any firefighting operation involves calculating the flow required for effective fire suppression. As Adkins aptly explains, the formula for estimating flow needs—width multiplied by length, divided by three—serves as a guideline for departments. In rural contexts, flow needs can vary significantly, with factors like facility size and materials contributing to disparate requirements.

Soccodato echoes these sentiments by noting that rural departments with varying types of water sources—whether tankers or hydrants—need to tailor approaches based on locally available resources. In communities reliant on tanker systems, it becomes essential to calculate the potential yield of the equipment in use, ensuring the selected hose size meets the fire’s demands without unnecessarily taxing pumper capacities.

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Taryn Luna
Los Angeles Times
(TNS)

A man was killed Sunday morning in a car accident after he turned in front of a fire engine at an intersection in Pacoima, according to authorities.

A Los Angeles City Fire Department engine was responding to a call and driving southbound on San Fernando Road around 10:45 a.m. when a Toyota Corolla made a left-hand turn from Terra Bella Street in front of the fire truck, said Sgt. Jodie McGee with the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Division.

“A collision occurred,” McGee said. “The driver of the vehicle, the Toyota Corolla, was transported to Holy Cross, where he was pronounced.”

McGee said the firefighters in the engine were shaken up but uninjured.

The LAPD is handling the investigation into the incident. Police are still attempting to identify the victim, who McGee said was not carrying identification. He was the only person in the Corolla.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

©2025 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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The Fairplay Grant Fire Territory Chief Bryan Woodall wrecked the department’s newest fire apparatus Saturday, March 29, he said in a Facebook post.

Here’s the post:

“Yesterday afternoon I was involved in a wreck in one of our fire trucks,” Woodall said in the post. “Yes, it was our newest truck. Only being in service for two months yesterday. I moved over too far on the edge of the county road and the truck went down into the ditch. I thought I could ride it out, but when the truck came to the end of the ditch the culvert caused the truck to bounce and skid sideways. The truck went off the other side of the road skidding sideways in the road. The truck rolled over one time and came to rest on the passenger side.”

“It just reminds you of the dangers of big trucks on the county roads,” the chief said. “Remember that most county roads do not have shoulders and if they are blacktopped. There is a definite drop off.”

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