The Bothell Fire Department welcomed one of two new Pierce fire engines into service with a “push-in” ceremony on Feb. 23. This special tradition has been a source of pride in the fire service for more than 100 years.

Bothell Fire PIO Kirsten Clemens said the origin of the ceremony dates back to horse-drawn equipment, when the horses could not back-up the fire engines. Firefighters would unhitch the horses and “push-in” the fire engine after returning from a fire.

Before community members actually pushed the new engine in, they helped firefighters with a bucket brigade, “where we filled up a bucket with water from the old fire engine and passed it down the line to the new fire engine,” Clemens said.

Young Bothell community members participate in a “bucket brigade.” Photo courtesy of Kirsten Clemens

Community members filled up a bucket with water from the old fire engine and passed it down the line to the new fire engine. Photo courtesy of Kirsten Clemens