On July 17, 2021, the Oldwick Fire Company and neighboring mutual aid companies shared an afternoon of camraderie with a wetdown for two new vehicles, a 2010 Pierce PUC Squad, and a 2020 Ford F550 Utility. Also scheduled was a barrel ‘fight’ in the field next door to the firehouse. Unfortunately lightning forced the postponement of the barrel fight.
The tradition dates back to the late 1800’s when fire departments used horses to pull a fire apparatus to fires. After fighting the fire, the crews would wash and ready the horses and the apparatus in preparation for the next call, then they would push the apparatus into the station’s bay. Seen below is neighboring Pottersville and Oldwick ‘washing’ the apparatus.
