Update as of 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022: Due to scheduling matters, the decision was made to cancel a rescheduled date for the Engine Push-In Ceremony. The new engine is now operational and equipped with several enhancements.
The Grande Prairie Fire Department thanks the community for the support and are proud to be equipped with the new truck to continue to keep residents safe.
Update as of 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, September 7, 2022: The Engine Push-In Ceremony is temporarily postponed. A rescheduled date will be provided once confirmed.
The Grande Prairie Fire Department is hosting an engine push-in ceremony to recognize the arrival of the brand-new fire engine, a 2022 Spartan Gladiator Classic Smeal Custom Pumper.
On Monday, September 12, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. residents are invited to the Pete Eagar Fire Station on Resources Road for a traditional engine push in ceremony to officially put the engine into service. Local food truck vendors will be onsite at the fire hall for the celebration, along with guided tours of the fire trucks from the department.
Push-In Ceremony’s are a tradition dating back to the late 1800s when fire departments used hand-drawn pumpers and horse-drawn equipment. Upon returning to the station after a fire call, the horses could not easily back the equipment into the station. The firefighters work as a team to push the engine into the bay by hand.
About the New Engine
The new engine is equipped with several enhancements over the model it is retiring including:
- Additional airbags and roll cages for protection in a motor vehicle accident.
- Ergonomic hose deployment and equipment storage.
- Added vehicle extrication tool for faster motor vehicle extrication.
- Lower emissions from battery-operated hand tools.
- Shorter turn radius of the vehicle for better access to certain neighbourhoods.
The new engine will be stationed at Pete Eagar Fire Station.
For more information on the Grande Prairie Fire Department’s Engine Push-In Ceremony visit, cityofgp.com/enginepushin.