For Le Hendrick the “wetdown” of a new fire engine Tuesday evening was “like Christmas.”

Engine 52 is the first new fire engine built specifically for the city since 2001 and it replaces a 2000 fire engine, which will be decommissioned after new hoses and other equipment arrives for the newest model, Hendrick said. It will be between 30 to 45 days before the new engine is operational and the older model put up for sale.

“It’s an exciting day for Conway,” Hendrick said with a smile across his face.

More than a dozen firefighters mingled with about 20 community members during the traditional service where Hendrick sprayed the new engine with water before the firefighters gathered at the front of the truck and pushed it into a bay at Station No. 1 on Ninth Avenue.