SAUGUS — Saugus firefighters welcomed home a new, $695,000 fire engine to replace their 22-year-old truck this weekend.
“I know that the Saugus Fire Department will be the steward of this vehicle, but it’s not just for the Saugus firefighters,” said Fire Chief Michael Newbury. “That vehicle is essentially for protecting all of our residents and all of our guests and all of the visitors who come to town.”
Newbury and department mechanic Richard Ragucci began by sketching exactly what they believed firefighters needed in a new truck, he said. Funding for the engine was allocated at Town Meeting and supported by the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee last year. Town Meeting members identified the engine as part of the town’s priorities as a capital infrastructure need.
Town Manager Scott Crabtree thanked each of the committees for their support in important community initiatives.
The Pierce 1250 G.P.M. Pumper built on an Enforcer chassis is fully furnished with all necessary tools and equipment, including hoses, nozzles, breathing apparatus, a hydrant wrench, a lock removal kit, a voice-amplifying communication system, and various extinguishers.
It was unveiled during an open house of the Fire Department’s headquarters on Saturday morning. During the event, Saugus firefighters helped families learn the basics of stop, drop, and roll, how to craft a plan for escaping a home during a fire, and how to crawl through a smoke-filled room.
The Fire Department chose to have the event in recognition of National Fire Safety Month.
