(Seguin) — The Seguin Fire Department invites the public to a special “push-in” ceremony this weekend to celebrate the arrival of its new aerial ladder truck. This event will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Central Fire Station.

According to city officials, the “push-in” ceremony is a cherished fire department tradition in which a new vehicle is backed into the fire station on its first call. The tradition began in the late 1800s when fire departments used hand-pulled pumps and horse-drawn equipment. Back then, they say, fire engines couldn’t just be backed into the fire station by horses. After a call, firefighters would then unhitch the engines from the horses and work together to push the engines back into the bays.

Seguin Fire Chief Dale Skinner says this newest device will help continue to keep the community safe.

“We are excited to add this new aerial ladder truck to our fleet and continue to provide the best service possible to our community,” said Skinner. “We look forward to residents coming out for the launching ceremony and learning more about the new machine.”

Truck 1, a Pierce 2023 equipped with a heavy-duty low-profile steel aerial ladder, has a remarkable vertical reach of 100 feet, according to the fire department. It also has a 450-gallon water capacity and can pump 2,000 gallons of water per minute. The truck also features an innovative rear-wheel steering feature (the rear wheels turn with the front wheels) to make it easier to navigate the city center and can maneuver in tight spaces.

After the ceremony, the public is invited to stay for refreshments and a tour of the fire station. They will also have the opportunity to visit with firefighters and capture memorable moments with the new equipment.

The central fire station is located at 110 Elm Street.