LANDIS — All men were created equal. And then some became firefighters.

To equip those firefighters with an apparatus that they could be proud of, Landis officials rolled out a new fire engine on Thursday before a crowd gathered at town hall.

“Were very excited to get it into service to serve the community,” Fire Chief Jason Smith said.

Chief Smith explained that its a tradition to have a neighboring fire department ceremoniously wet down the new fire engine. That department was China Grove FD.

“It’s a great day in Landis,” Town Manager Michael Ambrose said. “This would not be possible without our mayor and board of aldermen seeing the foresight of this truck being needed for this department.”

Mayor Meredith Bare Smith explained that the new engine is the first new one that Landis has obtained since 2007.

“It has been 17 years since we have had a new engine here in Landis,” she said. “When I say new, I mean brand new to us.”

The mayor indicated that this engine has been a pressing need for years now.

“This has been a need since the first day that I was elected,” Mayor Smith said, later adding, “I want to say thank you to our board of aldermen for allowing us to do this for our citizens. Its does not go lightly that it is the money that are tax dollars we spend. We try to take all the considerations, every cent that they pay in, on what we spend that money on.”

However, Mayor Smith said she can think of no better expenditure for the town that bolstering the departments that keep Landis safe.

“This apparatus will save lives,” she said.

The new engine is the latest step forward for the Landis Fire Department.

“We moved into having a fire chief which we have never had before,” Mayor Smith said. “We always had a part-time chief. Now we have a full-time chief.”

As the mayor, she said she is grateful for the members of the department and their patience in waiting for the new engine.

Ambrose addressed the need for the new engine as it related to the previous engine’s capacity for response.

“With that (engine) being in service, the reliability of getting to a call, I think (the new engine) was much needed and the board saw that foresight,” Ambrose said.

As for what it means for Landis, Ambrose is optimistic on the future’s forecast.

“Landis is headed in a great direction,” he said. “The board and myself are able to work together and accomplish these goals that are needed for the town.”

Pastor David Franks of Landis Reformed Church anointed the engine.

“It is a way of symbolizing that you are setting apart (the engine) for God’s hand to be on it and his protection to be on it,” Franks said. 

Franks has been in Landis for 36 years.

“I remember the days when the old air horn was up on the water tower and it sounded every time the trucks went out,” Franks said. “I never got any sleep but I always prayed for this department.”

As one final tradition, Chief Smith explained that early horse-drawn fire tankers had to be pushed back into fire halls since, as he jokingly said, “horses don’t have a reverse gear.”

With Alderman Tony Corriher in the cockpit, the town officials on hand and members of the fire department pushed Engine 441 into the fire hall.