TOWN OF WAPPINGER – The Hughsonville Fire Department hosted a “wetdown” of their new 2022 Pierce Enforcer fire engine on Saturday. The new apparatus arrived earlier this year and is replacing the previous Pierce Enforcer, which had reached the age of 20. The Hughsonville Fire Department is also celebrating their 110th year of service to the community in 2023.
Wetdowns are a chance for volunteer fire departments to come together to celebrate the new firefighting apparatus by dousing it with water while engaging in interdepartmental “water fights”. The wetdowns are a source of pride for the volunteer departments who sacrifice their own time to help their communities when the alarm sounds. The longstanding tradition helps to build camaraderie between the firefighters that routinely respond side-by-side to calls for help from the community.
On Saturday, dozens of community members and elected officials attended the event to welcome the new rig to the neighborhood. The members of the Hughsonville Fire Department provided free food and beverages to all while neighboring departments including the Chelsea, New Hackensack, and New Hamburg fire departments rode up, pulled hoses off their rigs, and began the entertaining water distribution.
Dutchess County Legislator and candidate for Wappinger Town Supervisor, Joey Cavaccini showed up and proceeded to assist in one of the water battles, led by Wappinger Town Councilman William Beale, the Hughsonville Fire District Duty Captain. “Our volunteer first responders are the backbone of our community,” Cavaccini said, adding “I was honored to join our neighbors in such an exciting and fun experience at today’s wetdown.”
“I congratulate the District Board of Fire Commissioners and all of the volunteers of the Hughsonville Fire Company on this new acquisition of their new Pierce Pumper!
The dedicated volunteers from the Pleasant Valley Fire Department relocated some equipment and manpower to…
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