The push-in ceremony is a fire service tradition that dates back to the late 1800s

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue will perform a traditional “push-in” ceremony for its new ambulance on May 1, at 10 a.m. at the Ridgefield Fire Station located at 911 N. 65^th Avenue in Ridgefield.  

This is the first of two ambulances gifted to CCFR by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe Foundation. The total amount of the gift for two new fully equipped ambulances is nearly $950,000. The unit will initially respond as “Rescue 21” and provide first-response to emergency medical and fire incidents within the CCFR response area. It will be staffed by a firefighter/EMT and a firefighter/paramedic. 

Beginning in January 2025 and as part of the new regional ambulance contract, “Rescue-21” will become “Medic-21” and function as a transport ambulance for high-priority patients in the CCFR response area. 

“These new response units will help CCFR provide a higher level of emergency response to our residents and visitors,” said Fire Chief John Nohr. 

The push-in ceremony is a fire service tradition that dates back to the late 1800s when fire departments used hand-drawn pumpers and horse-drawn equipment. Upon returning to the station after a fire call, the horses could not easily back the equipment into the station, so they were disconnected from the fire equipment and firefighters would push the equipment back into the bay themselves. 

Members of the public are encouraged to join CCFR for the push-in ceremony. 

Information provided by Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue.