Margate Fire Department Welcomes New Rescue Truck with Historic Push-In Ceremony

by David Volz September 10, 2025

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The push-in ceremony for the new fire rescue vehicle at station 98. {Photos by David Volz}

The Margate Fire Department celebrated receiving a new rescue vehicle for Station 98 with a push-in ceremony on September 9.

The new truck was custom-built for Margate at a cost of about $364,000 by Wheeled Coach and includes state-of-the-art technology, including CASPR, an innovative approach to disinfecting rescue vehicles, according to Chief Roberto Lorenzo.

The truck was ordered in 2021, but due to the COVID-19 situation, the construction of the vehicle was delayed.

“We are glad to have this truck, which has the latest technology. We have been waiting about four years to receive it,” said Lorenzo.

After some remarks by Lorenzo, Mayor Arlene Schwartz, other fire department leaders, members of the commission, senior city leaders, and high-ranking fire department personnel participated in a fire service tradition known as a push-in; they got in front of the truck and pushed it into the station.

The tradition dates back to the 1800s, when firefighters would push horse-drawn equipment back into the firehouse after responding to a call. Now, when a fire department takes delivery of a vehicle, the community is often invited to the push-in ceremony to be part of the celebration, according to Lorenzo.

Schwartz was excited about the new truck. “This is a state-of-the-art rescue vehicle, and other cities wish they had one like it,” she said.

Margate firefighters in front of their new truck

Margate fire chief Roberto Lorenzo speaks just before the push-in ceremony for the new rescue truck at station 98

Mayor Arline Schwartz speaks at the push-in ceremony on September 9

The Margate commission, city administrators and the fire department administration

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.