(6/3) Shortly after the community helped "push-in" the new fire truck on June 3 at the Vigilant Hose Company (VHC), fire personnel transmitted a message over the radio to dispatch. "Place this unit in service and in quarters," a firefighter said from inside the new truck, informing the communications center that the apparatus was available for emergency calls out of VHC.

Booming applause broke out inside the fire department as the glossy red paint shone across the new apparatus that succeeded the 1995 fire truck. A sign attached to the ladder with gold letters read: protecting the citizens of Emmitsburg and surrounding communities. The 2023 Pierce Enforcer tower will serve the town that is home of the National Fire Academy and Mount Saint Mary’s University.

"The pushing in ceremony [is a] …long honored, American fire service tradition," said Wayne Powell, a long-time historian who specializes in American fire and emergency services and fire protection disciplines. "It’s a community get-together."

Before the new truck was backed into the station, VHC leadership took turns delivering speeches to the crowd of community supporters. Josh Brotherton, Chief of VHC, was the first to speak at the podium Monday evening. "The journey to this momentous occasion began in 2020, when our department formed a committee tasked with the challenge of replacing our aging 1995 Pierce tower," Brotherton said.

According to the chief, Chairman Chad Umbel embarked on the process of designing a ladder truck that would meet the needs of the department and community.

According to the chief, the department raised enough funds to cover the cost of the new fire truck before delivery. "It’s an amazing thing," Tom Ward uttered, regarding the feeling of the tower finally being in service. Ward, who serves as the president of the fire company, said no other fire department in the state could pay for a new truck up-front within 18 months.

Following the ceremony and the official in-service announcement, community members leisurely walked around the truck, observing the details and updated features while conversing amongst one another.

Powell examined the Dalmatian dog placed on the driver's side of the truck near the rear, reminiscing about the significance of Dalmatians in fire service. "Two hundred years ago, when horses pulled the big heavy fire truck…Dalmatians and horses get along really, really well," commented Powell.

Dalmatians played a key role many years ago in fire service, providing company to horses when firefighters would battle blazes for hours – maybe all night long, the historian said.

Mayor and current Town Council member Jim Hoover said Emmitsburg has been very fortunate with their volunteer turnout. While other fire companies in the country were experiencing a decrease in volunteerism, Emmitsburg was having an increase.

Bill Boyd, who has been part of VHC for nearly 33 years, said the community has provided unwavering support for the fire department for as long as he has been a member, whether it is fundraisers or purchasing items. As the crowd started to depart, Boyd proudly glanced over at the new truck. "We wouldn’t be where we are today without this community," Boyd said. "It’s a special community."