New Lenox Fire District Holds Blessing Ceremony for New Fire Engine

NEW LENOX, IL — The New Lenox Fire Protection District (NLFPD) on Thursday blessed a new fire engine that is going into service.

Fire Chief Adam Riegel, Deputy Chiefs Dennis Randolph and Terry Vavra, Battalion Chief Brian Applegate, Chaplain Bill Ciston and NLFPD Station 2 lieutenant and firefighters took part in the blessing of the new engine Thursday morning. It is part of a fire service tradition that dates to the days of horse-drawn engines. The new apparatus is blessed, then welcomed by pushing it into its new quarters at the fire station.

"The push-in ritual can be traced back to the late 1800’s when it was a challenge to get horses to push equipment backwards," said Chief Riegel. "As a result, firefighters moved the equipment into storage areas by hand."

The new fire engine is a 2024 Pierce Saber with a 1500-gallon-per-minute Waterous pump and 750-gallon water tank. It is an Advanced Life Support (ALS)-equipped engine, which gives it the same capabilities as an ambulance, apart from transport. It is replacing a 2016 Pierce Dash, which will be used as a reserve engine.