El Paso Fire Department welcomes new tools to fight fires

EL PASO, Texas - The El Paso Fire Department held another traditional "wetdown" ceremony to prepare a new ambulance to serve the community of northeast El Paso.

"We're excited for it," said Battalion Chief Kevin Mende. "It's replacing what we had here before, which was an older ambulance. "It's an upgrade."

Northeast El Paso residents sprayed 'Rescue 23' with water alongside the first responders who serve their neighborhood.

"We love this northeast neighborhood," said Chief Mende. "Responding to it is one of our responsibilities. This is definitely going to help us."

The "wetdown" ceremony is observed across the United States, in which the department sprays the units, hand dries them, and pushes them back into the fire station.

According to the department, the tradition started in the 1800's when departments relied on horses to pull fire trucks.