Tender 402 Wet Down

On May 9th, 2024 Windsor Severance Fire Rescue put their new water in service with a in service ceremony with a wet-down at Station 2 in Severance. The new Tactical Tender is a Freightliner M2-106 / Maxi Metal with 2000 gallons of water and a bumper mounted turret. Tender 402 is replacing the 26 year-old water tender. The tradition of a wet-down dates back to the late 1800s when fire departments used horses to pull fire wagons and pumps to fires. After fighting the fire, the crews would wash and ready the horses and the apparatus in preparation for the next call. As horses couldn’t push the pumper backwards, firefighters would unhitch the horses and would then push the horse-drawn wagon backwards into the station’s bay. Wetting down with the water from the old apparatus signifies a transfer of experience and wisdom of the old and the readiness to protect lives and property that is now bestowed upon the new. Additional information provided by Windsor Severance Fire Rescue