New pumper welcomed to fire department with wet-down ceremony

Community members gathered at Fire Station 30 to help firefighters welcome a new fire pumper to the force.

Saturday morning firefighters, city leaders and the community participated in the first ever El Paso Fire Department “wet-down” ceremony welcoming new trucks to the city fleet.

The decades-old tradition involves the new truck being hosed down and then the members of the community help dry the vehicle before pushing it back into the station.

“It’s great to have the community involved and show their support to the fire department,” Fire Chief Mario D’Agostino said.

D’Agostino said they will do this for every new apparatus the department receives.