New fire engine arrives at Portland Fire Department

Aug 02, 2023

By Terry McCormick | on August 29, 2023

The Portland Fire Department has received delivery of the fire engine ordered 18 months ago. The new engine cost $875,000 for the truck and loose equipment that came with it.

According to Fire Chief Sam Thornton, the men will need about 30 days to get trained and all the equipment installed. The new engine came with a lot of up-graded safety features. It has air bags, enhanced roll over protection, an intercom so everybody can talk to each other inside the cab when responding to a call, a better quality lower emission motor, a bigger pump which can be used if the water supply is available, upgrades to the seat belt systems, and stronger parts in the frame. A painting of the United States flag is in the grill work. This was available at no extra cost and it is hand painted with no two alike.

The new engine will replace current Engine Two located at the South Station, which will be put in reserve. It will be used in situations where other engines need maintenance work. The new engine will be moved to the South Station when all the accessories have been installed.

“The new engine is going to cut down on maintenance costs. It’s safer for the crews,” Thornton said. “We have up-to-date technology on it so it should be better overall for our crews and our citizens.”

A new ladder truck is on order and should be delivered in two years. It will replace the ladder truck purchased in 1991. According to Thornton, the department didn’t just go out to purchase two fire engines, they were needed.