In the late 1970's, a company called Continental began making a new brand of fire apparatus in Massachusetts. The first unit ever built was called a Compac and it began it's life as a demonstrator unit in 1979. Like every Compac built, this unit was equipped with a 1250 GMP pump and 500 gallon tank. In 1981, the company's first built fire engine was purchased by the Town of Essex, Massachuesttes and placed into service as Engine 1. It remained with that department for 22 years until it was replaced this year with a new Pierce pumper. In a somewhat unusual circumstance, Mr. Dick Barlett had the distinguished duty of not only delivering this historic piece of fire apparatus, but he also picked it up as the trade in 22 years later.
The first Compac, shown here as a demonstrator. (photo by Dick Bartlett)
The Compac now in service with Essex, Mass. (photo by Dick Bartlett)
Dick Bartlett had the honor of both delivering and picking up this historic piece of apparatus. (photo courtesy of Dick Bartlett)