LOUDONVILLE — The Loudonville Fire Department welcomes new faces and new equipment with a centuries-old fire department tradition.
Pushing a new fire truck into the fire department bay is a tradition that dates back to the 1800s.
Horse-drawn fire apparatus could not be backed into stations after returning from calls. So, firefighters would release the horses and push the equipment into the bay by hand.
The tradition continued Thursday when Loudonville firefighters and community members pushed the department’s newest ladder truck into the station for the first time.
Fire Chief Josh Buzzard and two new full-time firefighters, Starla Phillips and Josh Fogleman, were also sworn in during the ceremony.
Phillips, Fogleman and Buzzard took an oath to faithfully uphold the Constitutions of the United States and laws of Ohio while serving the village. Loved ones joined the new firefighters and chief at the front to officially pin their badges onto their uniforms.
The department also unveiled two new emergency vehicles: a refurbished 2007, 75-foot ladder truck and a new 2026 Wheel Coach ambulance. While ambulances are not traditionally included in push-in ceremonies, attendees also helped push the new ambulance into the station.
“We got two new apparatus,” Buzzard said. “One’s a brand-new ambulance, and the other is a new-to-us, 75-foot ladder truck.”
The refurbished ladder truck replaces a 1983 ladder truck that entered service with the department in 2000.
Buzzard said replacing the aging ladder truck had been a priority for several years, but purchasing a brand-new ladder truck was financially out of reach. The replacement process began under former Fire Chief Dan Robinson.
Buzzard thanked the Village Council, taxpayers, Robinson and Capt. Dillard for making the project possible.
“I’d like to thank the mayor and council for allowing us to start a new tradition here at the fire department,” Buzzard said. “I’d also like to thank everyone from the community, along with family and friends, for coming out today.”
Following Buzzard’s remarks, a prayer was offered for the department’s new apparatus and the firefighters and EMTs who will respond to emergencies. The prayer included a request for their protection and thanked them for their willingness to serve the community.
Residents, firefighters and family members gathered behind the vehicles. They slowly pushed the ladder truck and ambulance into the station bay.
The ceremony concluded with cake and ice cream inside the fire station. Community members congratulated the department’s newest members.
See more from Loudonville’s push-in ceremony:
