Joplin Firefighters to hold “wet down” ceremony for new pumper truck Friday, August 9
City officials and community members will join Joplin firefighters during a “wet down” ceremony for the new pumper truck being put into service at Joplin Fire Station #6.
The event will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, August 9 at Joplin Fire Station #6, 5302 West 32nd Street. After the wet down portion of the event, participants can join firefighters to “push” the truck into the station to be ready for the next call.
This tradition of wetting down a fire truck as it begins service is reminiscent of the late 1800s when fire departments used horses to pull fire apparatus to fires. After fighting the fire, the crews would wash and prepare the horses and the apparatus in preparation for the next call. Crews push the apparatus into the station’s bay because the horse-drawn equipment could not be easily backed into the building. To move the equipment into the station, firefighters and community members gathered to push the heavy equipment into the fire bay.
The new apparatus is a 2024 Pierce Velocity Pumper with a capacity of 1,500 gallons per minute. This engine will carry extrication equipment and firefighting tools to be prepared for various responses. The pumper truck was funded through the Public Safety Sales Tax that voters approved in 2006.
The Joplin Fire Department will host the Housing Ceremony and provide information about the newest truck in its fleet. Everyone is welcome to attend.