LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — It's a time-honored tradition in America dating back to the 17th century — pushing firetrucks back into the station by hand. 

On Thursday, firefighters in west Louisville gathered for the push-in ceremony at the firehouse on River Park Drive to walk a brand-new truck into the station.

Early fire engines had to be pushed back into the station by hand after every call. When motorized fire engines came on scene, that tradition continued, growing into celebrating each new firetruck.

Crews of Truck 4 were joined by the community to do the same thing Thursday, and to dedicate the new truck.

"Your firefighters are always standing by and always moving resources to make sure that this community is always safe, is always protected," Louisville Fire Chief Brian O'Neill said. "And that's what this outstanding apparatus is going to be able to do for west Louisville and the rest of the community."

Truck 4 has served west Louisville since 1891, first at 2301 W. Jefferson Street and at its current location on River Park Drive since 1984. In 2023, Truck 4 responded to more than 1,600 emergency situations, according to Louisville Fire.

The new truck, a Seagrave firetruck, weighs 75,800 pounds and features the most up-to-date technology for improved safety and effectiveness, a horizontal reach of 90 feet, a vertical reach of 100 feet, and a water flow capacity of 2,000 gallons per minute. 

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