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New equipment to be pushed in on department’s 135th birthday
The Ely Fire Department will honor tradition and celebrate history the evening of May 1.
On the 135th anniversary of the department, Ely firefighters will push two new pieces of equipment.
City council members and the general public are invited to the event, which is set for 6:30 p.m. outside the department’s garages at City Hall.
“This goes back in tradition in fire service,” fire chief Dave Marshall said. “To have department members push in new apparatus and get it into the fire hall.”
Marshall added that “we did this with the current Engine One, when we got that about six or seven years ago.”
This time, the department will formally commemorate Tower 1 - the department’s new aerial truck - as well as Engine 2.
“Those are two pieces the council approved that we bought from a department out in Pennsylvania,” said Marshall. “Both are fully in service.”
Timing led to a perfect storm of sorts, allowing for the event to take place as the department turns 135 years old.
“We’ve been thinking about a (ceremony) for the two pieces of equipment and it was pointed out last month that May 1 will be the 135th anniversary of the fire department and it also happens to fall on our meeting night. So people thought this may be a good time to do it.”
At Tuesday’s regular council meeting, Marshall invited council members to attend and even join in the “pushing” of the vehicles.
The public may take part as well.
“People can come and watch, and people can come and help out,” said Marshall. “We’ll do it right at the start of our meeting at 6:30. It won’t take very long and will be a quick event.”
