Tomorrow, Sept. 16th, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Fairmount Fire Company will invite the community to join them at their firehouse, located at 100 Vine Street, for a celebration like no other. This event is not just about showcasing their brand-new Ladder 14 truck and Special Service 14 vehicle — it's about recognizing the selfless heroes who put their lives on the line to protect us day in and day out.
The festivities are set to impress with live music, a pop-up beer garden courtesy of Imprint Beer Co. and Well Crafted Beer Co., delectable offerings from the Meat Wagon BBQ food truck, exciting raffles and giveaways, a Kids' Zone to keep our little ones entertained, and much more. It's a day for our community to come together and show our appreciation for the remarkable individuals who make up Fairmount Fire Company.
The standout moment will undoubtedly be the ceremonial backing of these new fire vehicles. As noted in yesterday’s article, this is a tradition rooted in the 1800s when firefighters relied on horse-drawn equipment. Back then, after responding to a fire call, horses were unhitched, and our brave firefighters would manually push the equipment back into the bay. To pay homage to this historical practice, fire departments hold a housing ceremony when welcoming a new apparatus into their ranks.
For those who have not had the opportunity, this is a great opportunity to meet the dedicated members of the fire company and explore the firehouse.
The new additions to Fairmount Fire Company's fleet: the Ladder 14 truck, an impressive 107-foot 2022 Pierce Ascendant, is set to replace their trusty 1984 Mack Ladder Truck, and the Special Service 14 vehicle, acquired a few years ago to serve as a fire police vehicle, bolsters our fire company's capacity to respond effectively to diverse emergencies.
The truth is we need to invest in our fire company and continue to support their efforts to modernize and update their equipment. The FEMA grant that helped make the purchase of this truck possible is a massive step forward for our community. In addition to the FEMA grant, Borough Council invested in new air packs for the fire company to continue this push toward modernization and growth.
That being said, there is so much more to do, and it will take years of investment to ensure we continue down this path together.
It's crucial to recognize that the hurdles faced by our volunteer fire departments persist. As the cost of firefighting equipment and training escalates, and as volunteer numbers decline, we must step up as a community. Your support at events like this is invaluable, but we must also consider the importance of volunteerism. Becoming a volunteer firefighter is a way to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our Lansdale community.
So, on Sept. 16, I encourage you to join us at 100 Vine Street and be part of a day that celebrates our Fairmount Fire Company and, by extension, our resilient community. Let's stand together and show our unwavering support for those who stand ready to protect us at a moment's notice.
(Mayoral Musings is a weekly op-ed column submitted to North Penn Now, courtesy of Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert. The views expressed are his own and are not representative of North Penn Now or Lansdale Borough.)
See also:
Mayoral Musings: Patience During Road Work
Mayoral Musings: The Closing of Rite Aid at Main and Broad
Mayoral Musings: The Promise of Private/Public Partnerships In EMS Funding
Mayoral Musings: Susquehanna and Courtland to Change to Two-Way Traffic This Month
Mayoral Musings: National Night Out is Tonight!
