PCFD Hosts First Push-In Ceremony for New Fire Truck

A "Push-In" Ceremony was held for the first time ever by the Panama City Fire Department (PCFD) on the morning of Thursday, July 11, 2024. Department staff, city commissioners and community members gathered at Fire Station 1 off E. Business 98 to officially welcome the City of Panama City's newest fire apparatus, Tower 1, into service by pushing the fire truck into its bay at the fire station. The ceremony also included a blessing of the truck, its operations, firefighters that will use the truck to respond to the community and those receiving service from the PCFD by Panama City Police Department Captain Billy Carstarphen.

The "Push-In" Ceremony is a longstanding tradition that pays homage to the history of the fire service and dates back to the 1800s. Over one century ago, fire crews would return from calls on horse-drawn equipment which required members to detach the horses and push the equipment into the bay after responding to emergencies.

PCFD Fire Chief, David Collier, notes that this ceremony was very meaningful to department staff. "The fire service prides itself on its history, and the push-in ceremony is a way to not only honor the tradition, but also keep moving forward for generations to come," said Chief Collier.

Tower 1 is one of the most advanced fire vehicles on the market today. It has a 100-foot ladder that can reach up to seven stories, modern "jaws of life" tool that is also electric and new fans to cool firefighters inside the truck, among many other advanced features. The apparatus is slightly smaller regarding its height and width, allowing for better maneuverability and positioning.

"The primary responsibility of government, especially local government, is to protect its citizens and their assets," said City Manager, Jonathan Hayes. He stated that Tower 1 is a great asset for the city to improve upon its safety. "Adding tools and resources to make the job easier [for our fire department] and [help them] respond quicker is essential as the city continues to grow," said Hayes.

The PCFD responds to approximately 4,500 calls per year and has an average response time of just under four minutes and 30 seconds (about one minute quicker than the National Fire Protection Association's standard of five minutes and 20 seconds).

Tower 1 will be housed at Fire Station 1 with a primary focus on serving the people of Panama City and responding to the entire city. There are also mutual agreements with other municipalities to have Tower 1 assist with emergencies if needed.

Tower 1 took a couple years to acquire. It cost $1.5 million and was purchased by the City with the fire assessment and general fund.