The North Charleston Fire Department held a traditional wet-down ceremony for Engines 201 and 208 that recently joined the fleet.
The trucks were built by Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, WI. The pumpers are 2014 Arrow XT chassis. Each has a 1500 GPM hale pumps and a 750 gallon tank. Engine 201 will operate from North Charleston Station #1 on Jenkins Ave., and Eng. 208 will operate from North Charleston Station #8 on Meeting St.
A wet-down ceremony is a traditional welcome for a fire apparatus or station. The tradition originated in historic east coast fire departments when changing out old fire pumpers for the new. The horses would be unhitched and water was transferred to the new apparatus. It would then be dried off and pushed into the stall for service.