The Spokane Fire Department will celebrate the arrival of the new engine in Hillyard by pushing it into Station 15 Friday afternoon.

What, the new truck  doesn't come with a motor?

For upwards of 500-grand, it definitely can run on its own power. But it seems there's a tradition of pushing a new engine into a station for the first time. Assistant Chief Brian Schaeffer said it's a tradition around the country, although he doesn't know how often it has been observed in Spokane.

"We don't get new engines very often," he said. Not sure of the origins, although it may go back to the days of horse-drawn fire pumpers, he added.

They'll have all the crews assigned to Station 15, plus city leaders, union officials, department brass and community members. Which is good, because the sucker is heavy, and they may need all the help they can get.

Ceremony starts at 2 p.m. at 2120 E. Wellesley.

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