The Oneida Fire Department last week celebrated the arrival of its new pumper truck with a time-honoured tradition known as a push-in ceremony.
The procedure dates back close to 150 years to the days of horse-drawn equipment and the need to push new apparatus into the fire hall.
Fire Chief Glenn Hill points out this is no longer a necessity but, instead, is a symbolic gesture to acknowledge teamwork.
Audio PlayerThe new truck replaces a pumper that has served the department for about 20 years.
It is the first new piece of equipment purchased since 2007.
The department’s J.P. Viramontes says the process of acquiring the new truck took about two years.
Audio PlayerTheir older unit was a fairly standard vehicle while the incoming truck is more of a customized pumper with a capacity of about 1,000 imperial gallons of water or 4,500 litres.
Audio PlayerThe Oneida Fire Department is in the midst of expanding its medical response presence in the community.
Audio PlayerThe Oneida Fire Department is a composite fire service that has 26 volunteer firefighters and a full-time fire chief. The Oneida Fire Department also responds to the county of Middlesex when requested or as part of a Mutual Aid Agreement, explained Viramontes.
Audio PlayerThe department works with the London Central Ambulance Communications Centre to respond to specific medical emergency situations when an ambulance is delayed.
Through this agreement, paramedics, firefighters, and police officers work together to aid ill and injured people.
You can learn more about the department at https://oneida.on.ca/emergency-services/fire-department/
Written by Ian McCallum
