Panama City (FL) FD Shows Off New $1.5M Aerial Tower with First Push-In Ceremony

PRESS RELEASE

A “Push-In” ceremony was held for the first time ever by the Panama City Fire Department (PCFD) on Thursday, July 11. Department staff, city commissioners and community members gathered at Fire Station 1 off East Business 98 to officially welcome Panama City’s newest fire apparatus, Tower 1, into service by pushing the fire truck into its bay at the fire station.

Tower 1 has a 100-foot ladder that can reach up to seven stories, a HURST “Jaws of Life” tool, 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. 

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.

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.

“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 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. 

• Check out a video of the Push-In Ceremony on Panama City Fire Department’s Facebook page.

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