Today, I photographed two meaningful ceremonies here in Roswell, Georgia—the Push-In Ceremonies for the new fire engines at Stations 22 and 26.
This isn’t just a photo op. It’s a tradition deeply rooted in the history of firefighting. Back in the days of horse-drawn fire wagons, firefighters had to physically push their equipment back into the station after returning from a call. After unhitching the horses, they’d wash and care for them, showing respect for the animals who had just pulled them through tough, smoky streets.
Fast forward to today, with a modern twist, and the tradition lives on.
At 10:00 a.m. at Station 22 and again at 1:00 p.m. at Station 26, Roswell Fire Chief Pabel Troche led the ceremonies and shared the story behind this time-honored ritual. Instead of washing down horses, Roswell firefighters brought their retired fire engine to ceremonially spray water over the new engine—a symbolic “passing of the torch.” Having served the community faithfully, the older engine helped usher in the next generation of equipment.
One of the highlights of the day was seeing so many families come out to the ceremony. Kids were beaming excitedly as they helped carry the fire hose behind the firefighter during the washdown. Then, with towels in hand, they helped dry off the gleaming new engine. And of course, the moment everyone was waiting for: the official push-in.
Dozens of hands—firefighters, kids, parents, neighbors—all came together to push the engine into the bay, just like it’s been done for over a century. It was a beautiful mix of history, community, and forward momentum.
These are the moments I love to document—where legacy meets the present, and people come together around something meaningful. I’m grateful to help tell this story through images and remind us that tradition still has a place, even in a world constantly moving forward.