SAN BENITO — The arrival of a new fire truck has long been a source of pride for any fire department.
To celebrate the homecoming of their fire department’s new rescue pumper, city officials and citizens in attendance for the unveiling Wednesday evening were all encouraged to get in front of the new vehicle and push it into fire station one.
This ritual dates back to the late 1800s when horse drawn pumpers were used throughout the nation’s fire stations.
Horses commissioned for 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 their pumpers back into the bay and ready themselves for the next alarm.
The new, fully-equipped rescue pumper shines with San Benito pride and pride for country.
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