West Harrison Fire Department unveils its latest fire truck with a ceremonial “wetdown”

The West Harrison Fire Department unveiled its latest fire truck with a ceremonial “wetdown” this weekend.

News 12 Staff

Aug 8, 2022, 12:29 PM

Updated 795 days ago

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The West Harrison Fire Department unveiled its latest fire truck with a ceremonial “wetdown” this weekend.
The department held a party Sunday at the station on Lake Street and gave the new Tower Ladder 9 a washing.
The new truck is a 2022 Seagrave 75’ AerialScope.
A wetdown is a ritual celebrated by many fire departments across the U.S. to break in new vehicles.  The tradition dates back to the late 1800s where department used horses to pull the fire apparatus. After fighting a fire, crews would wash and ready the horse and apparatus to be ready for the next call.