Firefighters dedicate new apparatus

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SIDNEY — A new member of the Sidney Department of Fire & Emergency Services was officially welcomed Thursday morning when Quint 1 was dedicated.

The new apparatus arrived several months ago, but the dedication ceremony marked its official addition to the department’s equipment.

The Quint serves the dual purpose of an engine and a ladder truck, and provides five functions: pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device, and ground ladders. Until the Quint was received, Ladder 5 was the only ladder that the Sidney Fire Department had, at 102 feet. The Quint has a 77-foot ladder.

During the dedication ceremony, held outside Station 1 downtown, firefighters followed historical tradition of wetting down the new apparatus, having the dispatch office activate the station’s paging tones announcing the retirement of the old rig and welcoming the Quint aboard, and then pushing the Quint into quarters.

Mayor Mike Barhorst spoke at the ceremony, saying the new equipment will serve the community well. “It certainly gives me a some degree of comfort when I go to sleep at night knowing that we have a second ladder truck in this county,” he said.

Barhorst gave an invocation and blessing. “We ask that you keep those who operate this piece of equipment always safe,” he said. “And we ask that, if your good grace allows, it never attends a fire that results in a fatality.”

As the crew prepared to give the new equipment its “bath,” Fire Chief Brad Jones thanked the apparatus committee for its work. “Without their hard work and dedication, this wouldn’t be sitting here,” he said.

“We’re going to officially retire the engine and put the quint in service over the radio,” he said.

The audience attending the ceremony applauded after hearing the following communication from dispatch over the loudspeaker at the station: “Attention all Sidney Fire Department personnel: Please be advised that Engine 3 is retiring today, being replaced by Quint 1. Oct. 29, 2015.”

The ceremony concluded with firefighters pushing Quint 1 into the station.

The new apparatus cost about $717,000, according to the city’s finance department.

Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst, left, gives an invocation and blessing for the new Quint 1 fire apparatus behind him during its dedication ceremony Thursday, Oct. 29. Standing with Barhorst is Sidney Fire Chief Brad Jones. After the two men described the station’s need for the new vehicle, it was ceremoniously hosed down with water and then pushed back into the station by firefighters.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/47/2015/10/web1_SDN102915NewEngine1.jpgSidney Mayor Mike Barhorst, left, gives an invocation and blessing for the new Quint 1 fire apparatus behind him during its dedication ceremony Thursday, Oct. 29. Standing with Barhorst is Sidney Fire Chief Brad Jones. After the two men described the station’s need for the new vehicle, it was ceremoniously hosed down with water and then pushed back into the station by firefighters.
Quint 1 joins Sidney Fire Department

By Michael Seffrin

[email protected]

The writer may be contacted at 937-538-4823 and on Twitter @MikeSeffrinSDN.

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