Bellevue firefighters gathered early Thursday morning for a “pushing in” ceremony for the department’s first new firetruck in 15 years.

“The ‘pushing in’ ceremony provides an opportunity for all of the crews that work on the ladder trucks and those that helped with the design and creating the specifications to welcome her into the department,” said department spokesman Lt. Richard Burke.

The ceremony is an old tradition, Bruke added.

The new rig cost $1.2 million, and was designed and created by mechanics over three years.

The Bellevue Fire Department staffs two “light force” companies that consist of a ladder truck and a fire engine for special missions.

“A ladder truck carries no hose or water. Its mission is to provide roof ventilation, search and rescue, and heavy or high angle rescue as well as vehicle extrication,” said Burke. “These are the ‘duty experts’ in the more technical aspects of our profession. The crew paired with an engine is a very effective ‘rapid intervention team’ providing some of the most challenging skills to our community.”

Ladder trucks generally have a lifespan of around 15 years, compared to about 10 years for a fire engine. The department’s previous ladder trucks had passed that mark, but have now both been replaced. The department will be receiving a few new engines over the next year or so.

The older rigs will now be put into reserve status for times when service or repairs are needed on the newer vehicles.