Two New Fire Engines

Fire Chief Eric Smith and Mayor Greg Verga present a check to representatives of Allegiance Fire and Rescue for two new Pierce Enforcer fire engines that will last the Gloucester Fire Department approximately 24 years. (Courtesy Gloucester Fire Department)

GLOUCESTER — Fire Chief Eric Smith is pleased to report that the Gloucester Fire Department and City of Gloucester have made a more than two-decade investment in the city’s safety with the purchase of two new fire engines that will replace aging engines that are being retired.

The Gloucester Fire Department has accepted delivery of two new Pierce Enforcer fire engines, each of which is rated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as a Class 1 pumper truck.

Each truck carries 750 gallons of water, 50 gallons of firefighting foam, and can pump up to 1,500 gallons of water per minute. Each truck also includes full Advanced Life Support EMS capability and equipment and vehicle extrication equipment, including hydraulic tools. Additional equipment will be stored in each truck that will provide for the initial response to HAZMAT, confined space rescue, water rescue and technical rescue incidents.

The new engines, which replace engines that were built 1988 and 2005, will significantly modernize the department’s fleet of four front-line fire engines and reduce ongoing maintenance costs while increasing reliability.

Each engine is expected to serve the community for approximately 24 years. The Gloucester Fire Department chose the Pierce Enforcer engines because of the company’s known history of building reliable and long-lasting fire apparatus. The department has purchased trucks from other manufacturers before, and did not get the same long-lasting quality.

The process of purchasing the trucks, which cost a combined $1.65 million, began in 2022, when Mayor Greg Verga authorized a loan order that was approved by the City Council.

An Engine Specification Committee, made up of department members and Master Mechanic John Wheeler, worked to identify the specifications for the trucks that would best serve the department and city, and accepted input from all members of the department. Members of that committee include Acting Capt. Dave Barrett, Lt. Buddy Doucette, Firefighter/Paramedic Darrel Dench, Firefighter/EMT Joe Johnson, and Deputy Chief Barry Aptt.

“I want to thank our Engine Specification Committee for their tireless work to make sure the City and Department got the most out of these two new engines,” said Chief Smith. “This is a major capital expenditure, and it moves our department into the future with a solid fleet of vehicles. While personnel are absolutely our most valuable asset, engines, ladders, and ambulances are the ‘tools’ and ‘toolboxes’ our personnel need to get to the calls and get the work done.”

Now that the trucks have been delivered, they will be outfitted with equipment. The trucks are expected to enter front-line service within the next 60 days.

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One of two new Pierce Enforcer fire engines that have been delivered to the Gloucester Fire Department. (Courtesy Gloucester Fire Department)

The pump control panel on the side of one of the new Pierce Enforcer fire engines that are expected to serve the City of Gloucester for approximately 24 years.  (Courtesy Gloucester Fire Department)

A view inside one of two new Pierce Enforcer fire engines purchased by the City of Gloucester and the Gloucester Fire Department. (Courtesy Gloucester Fire Department)