Lincoln Fire Department dedicates truck number 5103

 

[May 30, 2019] 

LINCOLN 

On Tuesday evening newly appointed Fire Chief Bob Dunovsky led a dedication ceremony for the new fire truck purchased this year by the city of Lincoln. The truck was actually ordered more than a year ago, but because of size restrictions at city garages, the truck had to be custom built, which took a great deal of time.

The evening began outside the Lincoln Fire station with guests gathered around to observe the age old rituals of commissioning a new piece of fire equipment. The first event was bagpipe music presented by Jim Turley.

After the music, Dunovsky began the program thanking everyone for attending and making special note of Mayor Seth Goodman, Lincoln Aldermen and city administrators who were on hand. He then asked for a moment of silence in honor of all our nation’s fallen, from firefighters to law enforcement to members of the military.

After the moment of silence, Dunovsky invited Mayor Goodman to speak. Goodman said he wanted to thank everyone for their efforts and commitment to securing the new truck. He also thanked the community for coming together to help celebrate the commissioning of the new apparatus.

Pastor Ron Otto of the Lincoln Christian Church was then called upon to deliver a prayer of blessing. Otto’s prayer was a message in itself as he asked that God bless the fire fighters and asked that they be kept safe and secure in times of trouble. He noted, “They risk themselves to save a few. Keep their loved ones safe and secure and strengthen them as they serve this community. When there is a cry for help - here comes a fireman. When the darkness is too overwhelming - here comes the fireman. When there is an emergency - here comes a fireman. When we need a rescue, when we need someone to run into the flames - here comes a fireman.

"When the calls go out and they see this truck coming, may it bring comfort because when they see this truck it means - here comes the firemen. God bless this engine, bless those who use it and keep them safe and bring them home.”

Dunovsky said that he wanted to first acknowledge retired Fire Chief Mark Miller, Lieutenant Brett Triplett, Firefighters James Reed and Robert Wood, who served on the fire truck committee and help secure this apparatus for the city of Lincoln. He noted that the truck was more than a year in the works. The process to purchase the truck began with the committee in 2017. The truck was built in the Tampa Bay Florida area and during the time in which it was being built, the area was hit by hurricane Michael in October of 2017. Dunovsky said that the Lincoln truck was put on the back burner for a while because of that catastrophe.

Dunovsky also noted that this new apparatus is replacing a similar vehicle that was built in 1984. He said that the old truck is now in the possession of a small community in Missouri. The story goes that the community was working to put together a fire department, and the cost of a brand new vehicle was overwhelming for them. They purchased the Lincoln truck for a minimal cost to help them get their department going while they work to raise the funding for a new vehicle.

Former Chief Mark Miller had relayed that story to the city council and had said that the life of the old Lincoln truck was limited, but that hopefully it would serve that community on a short-term basis until they could accomplish what they needed to in order to purchase a better vehicle.

Dunovsky moved on to the rituals involved in commissioning a fire truck. He explained that the rituals go back to the days of the Lincoln Department being maintained using horse-drawn equipment.

First, he explained transferring of water. He said in those days of old, when a new apparatus was brought into service, the firemen would transfer the water from the old wagon into the new one. To signify that ritual, Assistant Fire Chief Ben Roland took a bucket of water taken from the old truck and poured it into the tank of the new vehicle.

Next Firefighter Andy Dexter sprayed water on the side of the truck. Dunovsky said that when we see city trucks they are always “squeaky clean” and that Dexter was spraying the truck now to signify the pride he shows in the equipment. Two more firefighters grabbed rags and began rubbing down the side of the truck where the water had been sprayed until it was dry and glistening once again.

The final ritual was the pushing ceremony. Dunovsky explained that in the earlier days, it was difficult for the horses to back the fire equipment into the station, so the horses would be unhitched and the firefighters would push the wagon inside.

During early times this ritual was done three times during a dedication and commission. Dunovsky explained that the wagon would be pushed in once to signify love for God, the second time for love of country and the third for love of the Fire Company or department.

Because this apparatus weighs several tons, the pushing ceremony was conducted with help from the engine and driver in the cap while firefighters lined up at the front bumper of the truck and simulated pushing the truck inside.

The new apparatus is too large to fit all the way into the main station at the Lincoln Fire Department. The vehicle was backed in as far as it could go with several feet of it remaining outside the garage when all was said and done. This particular vehicle will be stored in a city owned garage on McLean Street, just a short distance from the main fire house.

With the backing ceremony completed, Dunovsky wrapped up the formal services and instructed the truck be pulled back outside so that the cap doors could be opened for the public to examine the interior of the truck.

This was a special treat for the many youngsters present and they all climbed inside checking out the back seats of the cab and also taking a turn behind the steering wheel of the big truck.

Guests were invited to check out all the parts of the truck, and firefighters were on hand to answer any questions. Guests were also treated to cookies and lemonade.

The ceremony concluded in time for Lincoln Aldermen to begin their 7 p.m. Committee of the Whole a few minutes later.

[Nila Smith]