Foster-Glocester Regional School to receive engine to kickoff new fire program

GLOCESTER, R.I. (WLNE) — The Foster-Glocester Regional School will officially be receiving a fire truck to launch their new “Firefighting Career and Technical Program.”

The new program will offer students, over a four year period, courses during the school day which will be taught by teachers who serve their individual communities as firefighters.

The event, which will happen at 5 p.m. today, is also a tradition continued by the district in which the community pushes the new engine backward into the fire station bay.

The tradition began in the late 1800s when fire departments used hand-drawn pumpers and horse-drawn equipment that needed to be hand-pushed back into the bays themselves.

The engine, after being pushed, will also be washed by firefighters.

The fire engine was donated by the Fairhaven Fire Department who donated it after taking it out of service.

Governor Dan McKee is expected to be at the event to speak.