Chief Larry Fisher would like to provide an update on the status of the Merrimac Fire Department’s new Engine 32, which is being built in Florida and on schedule to be delivered early.
The new Engine 32 will be able to carry up to five firefighters and a 1,000 gallon water supply, as well as a 1,500 gallon-per-minute pump. The truck meets all the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association standards for building fire apparatus.
The truck cost the community $395,000, and is expected to serve the community for 10 to 15 years once it is delivered. Upon delivery, the members will undertake the task of mounting all the equipment, which will save approximately $15,000. The Engine will be placed into service once members have been trained on its operation and have been cleared to drive.
In the next few weeks, the new engine will ship from E-One, in Florida, where it was built, to Greenwood Fire Apparatus in Massachusetts, where it will receive lettering, pump certification, final inspections and a few other finishing touches.
“The age of our current equipment makes maintenance and getting parts difficult, so finding out that our new engine should be delivered early is extremely fortunate news,” said Chief Fisher. “We are currently down one Engine due to unavailable parts. That along with other maintenance issues, makes responding to fires and accidents in a timely manner far more difficult, which puts our community at risk. This new engine will provide us with a more reliable apparatus, and it will improve the safety of all Merrimac residents.”