Pasco Firefighters Celebrate New Engine With Traditional Push-In

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — This new fire engine has all the bells and whistles technology can offer, including the bell from a retired Pasco County fire engine.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore joined Pasco County Fire Rescue firefighters for a traditional fire engine push-in ceremony Thursday.

The new Engine 13 will serve residents of Wesley Chapel ad Central Pasco County.

The ceremony dates back more than 100 years before fire trucks were motorized. The horse-drawn fire engines had to be pushed back into the station house after a call.

In addition to the push-in ceremony, the firefighters performed a bell transfer ceremony with Engine 13. Another time-honored tradition, the engine's bell is passed from the old truck to the new one, reminiscent of a time when bells were used as the engine's siren and were passed from engine to engine as a show of respect.

This is the second engine this bell has been placed on and will remain with Engine 13.