Push-In Ceremony Speech
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Good afternoon everyone, and thank you for joining us on this very special day.
Today we celebrate not just the arrival of a new fire engine, but the teamwork, dedication, and shared commitment that made it possible.
This engine represents far more than a piece of apparatus. It’s the result of years of planning, collaboration, and trust — from the very first conversations about what our department needed, to the moment we proudly welcome it into service today.
I want to begin by recognizing the extraordinary efforts of our Engine Committee — Lieutenant Alexander, Lieutenant Christman, Lieutenant Cipparrone, Lieutenant Petty, and Retired Lieutenant Weber.
This process has been such a long journey that three of these members actually began it as firefighters — and have since earned promotion to Lieutenant. That says a lot about their dedication and commitment to this department.
I also want to take a moment to recognize Lieutenant Andy Nunley, who led this committee in its early stages before we tragically lost him to occupational cancer in 2022. Andy’s leadership, vision, and passion for this project remain a lasting part of this engine’s story — and we honor his memory here today.
Together, this team put in countless hours of research, attention to detail, and care. Their commitment to excellence ensured that this apparatus was designed specifically to meet the needs of our firefighters and our community. They balanced practicality, safety, and innovation — and they did it with true professionalism.
I also want to express our deep appreciation to our Township Trustees; Carol Moore, Brian Randles, and Jason Smith for their continued support and leadership. Their understanding of the challenges we face in public safety, and their dedication to providing the resources we need, made this project possible.
Our sincere thanks as well to our past and present Fiscal Officers, Holly Mattei and Nicole Jurgensmier, whose guidance and financial management helped navigate this complex process responsibly and transparently. Their efforts ensured that every step was done the right way — with accountability and care.
To the entire Bloom Township Fire Department team, both past and present — this moment belongs to you. Every call you’ve answered, every hour of training you’ve completed, and every act of service to this township has built the foundation we stand on today.
You are an incredible team — a true cadre of professionals who take pride in serving others, and I could not be prouder.
We also want to take a moment to thank Mark Loy and the All American Fire Equipment Team and Rosenbauer for their expertise, partnership, and guidance throughout this long and detailed process. From design to delivery, they worked side by side with our committee to ensure that the final product reflects both our operational needs and our community’s expectations for safety and quality.
And most importantly, we want to thank our residents — the people of this township. Your trust, your continued support, and your belief in your fire department make everything we do possible. Because of your support, we can invest in equipment that helps us protect lives and property safely and efficiently. We take seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of your tax dollars, and this engine stands as proof of that stewardship.
Purchasing a new fire engine in today’s world is not an easy task. Rising costs, supply chain challenges, and long manufacturing times have turned what used to be a one-year process into one that can take two to four years from start to finish. But through patience, persistence, and teamwork, we’ve reached this incredible milestone.
As we gather for the push-in ceremony, it’s worth remembering what this tradition means. The “push-in” dates back to the 1800s, when firefighters returned from a call with horse-drawn pumpers. Since horses couldn’t easily back the engines into the station, firefighters would unhitch them and physically push the equipment back into the bay — together. It became a proud tradition that symbolized teamwork, unity, and the readiness to serve.
Today, we honor that same spirit. When we push this engine into its new home, we’re not just moving a piece of equipment — we’re pushing forward together into the next chapter of service, protection, and pride for our community.
Thank you all for being part of this journey, and thank you for trusting us to serve you every day.