City of Talladega Blog

(Talladega, AL) The City of Talladega’s Fire Rescue Department recently hosted an Open House and Push-in Ceremony, as they placed their two newest fire engines into service.

Captain Ron Harrell opened the ceremony with a blessing, and Fire Chief Danny Warwick and Assistant Fire Chief John Tyson discussed the significance of the event. City Manager Derrick Swanson unveiled the plaque featured on the new fire engines, and community leaders, city employees and others pushed the trucks into the station. 

The push‑in ceremony traces its roots to the 1800s, when fire departments relied on horse‑drawn apparatus. After returning from a call, firefighters would unhitch the horses and manually push the wagon or steamer into the station. Today, though firefighters no longer rely on horses, this tradition endures as many fire departments wash the new vehicle, then together push it into the bay as a symbolic welcome into service. The ceremony is a tangible reminder of commitment, pride, and responsibility to the communities served.