Dickinson Fire Dept. ushers in new era with Tower Two ceremony – The Dickinson Press

DICKINSON — Traditions hold deep meaning, reminding us of roots and often humbler beginnings. That was evident at the Dickinson Fire Department’s recent “Push-In” ceremony to dedicate its new fire truck, Tower Two.

The new fire engine was welcomed at the fire station yesterday and attracted an unexpectedly large crowd from the community.

The push-in system dates back to the years when firefighters had to manually push the fire engine into the station after returning from their missions.

Modern locomotives no longer need to be pushed manually, but the tradition has been preserved and is now symbolically re-enacted each time a new locomotive is added to the department.

“It dates back to the 17th century, when fire engines and other firefighting equipment were not yet motorized,” said DFD chief Jeremy Presnell. “They were either hand-pulled or pulled by horses. After each call, they were washed on return and then pushed in by hand.”

Manuel Holguin JR / The Dickinson Press

As Tower Two entered the station, it was ceremoniously doused by the locomotive it replaced, symbolizing traditional purification – a ritual reminiscent of a baptism.

Presnell was pleasantly surprised by the large turnout, noting that many attendees had to find parking outside the crowded Public Safety Center parking lot. “We were really impressed with the amount of community support we received for the ceremony,” he said. “To see the community come out and support this new piece of equipment that we spent a lot of time building during the construction process.”

The new engine has been carefully designed from the ground up and is expected to serve the community well for the next 30 years.

It includes a platform for rescue operations in higher buildings, increasing the safety and effectiveness of rescue workers. Unlike traditional ladders, this platform allows rescue workers to reach higher locations more safely.

The $1.5 million Tower Two was financed with insurance reserves. The purchase process, initiated by Presnell and his team in 2021, included a three-year planning and design phase. “There were many meetings and detailed discussions to ensure the building met our exact requirements,” Presnell explained.

The retiring engine has served faithfully for 30 years and remains available as a reserve unit and can be used when needed.

Chief Presnell, visibly touched by the community’s support, expressed his gratitude and invited those in attendance to view the new engine. “We are very grateful for the community’s support, for supporting us and providing us with such a piece of equipment. It enhances our ability to continue to provide great service to the community,” he said.

Manuel Holguin JR / The Dickinson Press