In a surprise ceremony combining tradition with recognition, the Fort Walton Beach Fire Department dedicated its newest fire engine to retired firefighter Calvin “P-Nut” Pina, who served the department for 32 years before retiring in 2008.

• The department unveiled Engine 7 during a traditional “push-in” ceremony, a practice dating back to the 1800s when fire apparatus was horse-drawn. After unhitching horses, firefighters would wash down the equipment and push it back into the station.

“This is a way that we can honor the past as well as look forward to the future,” Fire Chief Jeremy Morgan said during the morning ceremony.

The new engine, which cost $750,000, weighs 28,000 pounds and carries 1,800 feet of hose, arrived after a two-year wait. Chief Morgan noted that current lead times for new fire apparatus have increased to nearly four years.

Pina, who was completely surprised by the dedication, had been lured to the station under the pretense of attending a routine ceremony following a monthly firefighter breakfast that he organizes. His entire family was in attendance, along with first responders and a host of friends from across the area who came to honor this local legend.

• “I don’t even have the words to explain what this means to me. It’s just unbelievable,” Pina said after learning of the honor. “I’m just overwhelmed seeing all these people.”

During the ceremony, Pina shared a humorous story about accidentally damaging a new fire truck years ago while attempting to back it into the same station. He secretly arranged for repairs before the chief discovered the damage.

• “I’m at the [fire] station that I hit the wall at, now you’re getting me to put a plaque on the truck,” Pina told the laughing crowd.

The Massachusetts native moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1975 after “a visit” to escape the cold northern weather. He stayed and built his career with the department, where he said the camaraderie among firefighters created a family atmosphere.

“The brotherhood, the service to the community, all of that… firefighters are special people,” Pina said. “You’ve got people who just put in their time every day, 24 hours a day, for the community and they help a lot of people.”

Chief Morgan praised Pina’s dedication to both the department and the community.

• “If you met him, which you have, you’d love him. He’s a friend to everybody,” Morgan said.

The ceremony concluded with crews washing down the truck before community members helped push it into the station, symbolizing that “this is your truck as well,” according to Morgan.