Middleboro, MA Ladder 1 is permanently out of service due to frame damage. An article is on the May 13 town meeting to replace the truck.

Northbridge, MA voters have approved the purchase of new pumper to replace Engine 4.

Peabody, MA has either placed an order for or has funds for a new ladder truck. Ladder 1's current Pierce would be reassigned to Ladder 2 with the Maxim being disposed of.

For a short while, the fire protection at Hanscom Air Force base for the civilian side of things was transfered from the U.S.A.F. to Massport while a new contract was worked on. May 1, 2008 the fire protection for Hanscom Field Airport has been transfered from Massport Fire Protection back to Hanscom Air Force Base providing the fire protection for the airfield through a mutual aid agreement with Massport Fire for the next ten years. Then at that time a new agreement will be worked out. Massport Fire is providing the funding to staff 4 firefighter positions, 2 for each shift as well as providing funding for supplies and for the first time the money will be coming directly back to Hanscom Air Force Base instead of being sent to the Air Force general funds as it had been in years past.

Lenox, MA has on order a Seagrave pumper to replace Engine 6. Delivery is expected in December.

Newton, MA has on order a Pierce pumper for Engine 2 with delivery expected later this month.

Savoy, MA has placed an order for a new pumper and has funds appropriated for a new tanker. The pumper is being built by Smeal on a Spartan chassis and the tanker will be on a commercial chassis with a 2500 gallon tank.

Springfield Fire-Rescue NH has placed an apparatus order with Desorcie Emergency Products for an E-ONE Typhoon Tradition Series Engine to replace the current Engine 1. Delivery due early fall 2008.

West Hartford, CT has done some apparatus shifting within the department. Quint 2's E-One stick has temporarily been reassigned to Quint 3 in the southend. Quint 3's former E-One platform has been sold, with a replacement on order (Spartan/Crimson 1500/400/100')...Quint 2 is now reassigned a spare E-One "Hush" pumper; with the company now known as "Engine 2".

Saturday April 12th marked the 100th Anniversary of the Great Chelsea Fire of 1908. Box 215 was struck for this fire which started at the corner of 2nd& Carter Streets. This fire took the lives of 19 people & leveled the city. It took 2 years to rebuild the city. The fire spread for 5 hours & burned 492 acres in approx 10hrs and destroyed 2,822 buildings which also included city hall, the library, central fire station, 13 churches, 3 synagogues. Side note: Chelsea Box 215 was also struck for the Conflagration of 1973 which also started at the same corners of Carter & 2nd Sts which leveled 18 city blocks. Chelsea Box 215 has since been retired & is no longer in use.

Massport has placed an order for a new heavy rescue.

The annual Tri-State meet will be held on Sunday May 18th. For more info visit http://www.qvec.org/Tri-State/tristate.htm.

The three Hampton towns dispatched out of New Braintree will soon be switching to 154.9125 MHz.

The Pembroke, MA Fire Department has awarded Pierce the contract to build a new Ladder/pumper truck, due to be delivered sometime in December 2008. The truck was purchased with a grant.

Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Brickett has been appointed Chief of the Amesbury, MA Fire Department replacing Chief Shute who retired in December, 2007.

The Town of Holden, MA has approved $15.5 million for a new public safety complex. The complex will be built next door to the existing fire headquarters.

In the world of ambulance contracts, the city of Melrose, MA has awarded the 9-1-1 contract to Cataldo Ambulance Service. They will take over for Action Ambulance on July 1 of 2008.

Albion, ME has purchased a Rosenbauer Pump/Tanker, Kenworth T800 410 hp, Allison EVS transmission, Waterous 1500 gpm pump with Foam Pro 2001 system, 2500 gal poly tank. They are auctioning off their 1970 tanker, see info at bottom of this section.

Belmont, NH voters approved the purcahse of a 2008 GMC/Horton ambulance that is expected sometime in June. In addition, they will also purchase of a 1988 E-One 95 ft tower (ex Rochester NY), which will be the town's first ladder truck. It has had a 300+ hr refurb and is expected to be delivered around the first of May.

Bristol, NH approved $575,000 for a new 75' quint from Smeal with 2000 GPM pump and 300 water tank. Other features include 450hp Cummins, 4000evs trans, 8kw Harrison gen, and large compartment storage with rear ladder access. It will also have preconnected 200' of 2 1/2" with preconnected mercury monitor off the front bumper, and 150 feet of ground ladders.

Franconia, NH has place an order for a new crew cab Kenworth chassis for Engine 2. The existing pump will be utilized from the present Engine 2 (Sutphen). Franconia Life Squad has also approved funds for a new van to replace their 1997 Ford F-350.

Jamestown, RI has orded two new tankers from Greenwood Motors whick will be built on Kenworth chassis. They be due to be delivered by June or July.

Town of Albion, ME is seeking bids on a 1970 International 1700 Loadstar with Farrar built body. Tank capacity is 750 gallons and pump is rated at 500 gals/minute. Truck has 17,540 original miles and was in service up to Feb. 2008. Additional information and inspection may be obtained by calling Jerry Keay, Fire Chief at 437-2540. Bids must be submitted to Town Clerk, PO BOX 287, Albion, ME 04910 no later than April 11, 2008 at 12 pm. Bids will be opened at 7pm on April 14, 2008 at the Selectmen's Meeting, Besse Building on Main Street, Albion. Successful bidder must provide full payment no later than 12pm April 18, 2008, or bid will be awarded the next highest bidder. Write "BID" on outside of envelope.

The Peterborough, NH Fire Rescue Department regrets to announce the passing of retired Chief of Department Merton S. Dyer. Chief Dyer was Past President of New Hampshire Chiefs, New England Chiefs and as I understand, a founding father of the academy.

Hollis, NH has received funds to purchase a pumper, a brush truck, and a tanker.

The Lenox, MA Fire Department has recently placed an order for a Seagrave Marauder II 1500 / 750 Rescue Pumper to replace a 1985 Pierce Arrow.

The Somerville, MA Fire Department received a Homeland Security grant for $843,400. The Grant Provides Matching Funds for 8 New Firefighters and a Rescue Truck. The department has not decided if this will be a rescue/pumper or a straight heavy rescue.

Woodstock, NH has appropriated funds to purchase a new ladder truck.

The Town of Paxton MA has awarded the following bid for a public safety complex. Construction will begin on or about 4/1/08 and be completed in 12-15 months.
Selectmen met with the Public Safety Building Committee last night to accept B.W. Construction Company, Inc. of Spencer as the general contractor for the public safety building project with a bid of $4,924,000. The next closest bidder was P.J. Stella Construction Corp out of Wakefield with a bid of $5,042,000.

Rockland, ME Fire/EMS has awarded its bid for a rescue pumper to Toyne. The new Squad 3 will feature a Spartan Gladiator Cab, 1250 gpm rearmount pump, Foampro 2001 class A foam system, a 750 gal. water tank, 25 gal. foam cell, a 15kw hydraulic generator, and a Command Light tower. The unit will replace Squad 1 and the out of service Engine 3.

David Soar of Stow, MA has been named the new chief of Weston, MA.

Elite Fire Apparatus of Wisconsin went into receivership in November, and its assets were sold last week to Wolverine Fire Apparatus of Michigan. The business that bonded the truck also went under, leaving Ashby MA high and dry for $350,000 that they had put towards a tanker. The matter is in the hands of the attorneys, but it is unknown if much can be done to help the town recover its funds.

The town of Bow, NH will be requesting approval for funding for purchasing a new rescue truck (130,000) and Engine (450,000) at town meeting in May.

Newton, MA has approved funds to replace Engine 16. The new pumper will be assigned to Engine 2 and the 1992 E-One will then be assigned as the spare rig. The department is looking at demo units and a delivery date of June of this year.

West Boylston, MA is going out to bid for a new 2008 Ford E-450 Type III, Class I ambulance, bids due March 21st.

As of Monday, March 3, 2008. Captain Paul Flannagan will assume the post of acting fire chief of the Winthrop, MA Fire Department. He was appointed to the department in 1978

Barre, MA voters approved the purchase of a second hand ladder truck.

Dingee Machine out of Cornish NH is in the process of building a new 3500 gal tanker for Hollis, NH.

Somerset, MA has appointed Scott H. Jepson as the new chief of department.

I was asked to post this piece of info, which many might find interesting. It's from the UK. Lincolnshire, UK February -- From 1st January 2008, ADR* vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will be required to carry extra fire extinguisher capacity up to a total minimum of 12kg dry powder (or equivalent). Previously, these requirements applied only to new vehicles. The rest of the article can be found at http://www.fireprotectioncentre.com.

The Pembroke, MA Fire Department recently was awarded a $650,000 grant to purchase a new ladder truck. Also this past fall the town approved 1,000.000 to the department to purchase new equipment. The departing is looking into purchasing an Engine, brush trucks, and possibly new turnout gear and air packs depending upon final costs.

In Milton, NH Firefighters have been ordered out of the fire station due to safety reasons. The building is still ok to keep the equipment and the firefighters will most likely be put into trailers that will be kept outside of the station. Voters at Town Meeting in March will be asked to approve a $975,000 bond to build a new fire station on the site of the existing public safety building, which curren tly houses fire and EMT equipment along with two full-time firefighters/EMTs. Article 2, which must be approved by a three-fifths vote, also would authorize selectmen to apply for, obtain and accept federal, state, or other aid that may be available for the building project. The current station was condemned last May by the state fire marshal. The state granted the town a yearlong variance to bring the existing station up to code, but the town determined it would be impossible due to the age of the building.

It is with deep regret that the Box 52 Association announces the death of Lt. Donald G. Newell of Boston Ladder 21 Retired Lt. Newell was a resident of Maplewood Place in Malden and had attended some of our meetings held there. May He Rest In Peace.

Massport Fire Chief Robert Donahue announced today that Joseph "Larry" Powers, Chief of Winthrop Fire, will be appointed Deputy Chief of Operations for Massport Fire/Rescue on March 3rd. He has been on the job with Winthrop for 31 years, 8 as Chief. He will be Directing/Coordinating the Operations, Training and Special Ops Divisions at Massport Fire/Rescue.

Gray ME, has announced that the Commercial Property at 2 Turnpike Acres Rd the former Walker’s Tire will become Gray’s newest Fire Station. The property will be leased by the Town until the annual town meeting in May where a vote will take place.

Nashua, NH Engine 3 has swapped places with Engine 5 due to a significant difference in the mileage on each vehicle.

Newton, MA has requested funds to replace Reserve Engine 16's pumper, which had become damaged after falling into a sinkhole.

Greenwood Emergency Vehicles (E-One) was the successful bidder for three pumpers and three aerials for Boston.

Due to some unexpected delays, Seagrave has given East Hartford a loaner 2008 100' RMA until their tower is ready for delivery.

Monmouth, ME has on order a Ferrara Intruder II rescue/pumper. It is expected to be delivered and in service by May and will replace Engine 3.

Pierce has been awarded a contract for a pumper and a tractor-drawn aerial for the New Bedford, MA Fire Department. These trucks will be assigned to Engine 8 and Ladder 1, respectively. Delivery of the new trucks will likely be fall of 2008.

Oswegatchie Fire Company in Waterford, CT has on order a Seagrave pumper. It is expected to be delivered in February.

Somersworth, NH has appropriated funds to purchase a new pumper.

American LaFrance has filed Chapter 11 bankrupsy. For more info you can read this article here: http://www.charleston.net/news/2008/jan/28...tcy_protection/.

Belchertown, MA has awarded a bid for a 1500 gpm pump with a 1000 gallon tank on a Spartan chassis to Custom Fire Apparatus of Osceola, WI. It will be a top mount with a light tower.

Brookline, MA has sent their 1995 Pierce Arrow 105' RMA to Pierce to be refurbished. It is expected to return around June.

Concord, MA has awarded a contract for a new pumper to Crimson. Work has already begun on building the rig.

Passadumkeag, ME has been awarded a FEMA grant to purchase a new engine.

Providence, RI has put out to bid 2 pumpers.

Revere, MA has awarded a contract for 2 pumpers and 1 aerial to Pierce.

Souhegan Mutual Aid Response Team, located in Nashua NH at the Lake Street Fire Station, has placed an order for a Mobile Foam Supply Truck W/ Ford F-550 2 person cab and 500 gallons of foam. Expected 9/1/08 and is being built by Fire Pumps MFG.

TF Green Airport in Rhode Island has placed an order for a 2008 Oshkosh Striker 3000 6x6 with a Snozzle HRET and a Rhino HFLA nozzle. It will be equipped with 3000 gallons of water, 400 gallons of foam, 500 lbs of Dry Chemical and 500lbs of Halotron. Delivery should be in the winter of 2008. It will replace Rescue 303, a 1997 Oshkosh T 1500 which also has a Snozzle HRET.

Uxbridge, MA has put out to bid a custom pumper to replace their 1970's Maxim.

Weston, MA has placed an order with E-One for an HM 100' rear-mount low profile aerial. It will be almost identical to Watertown's new aerial. Some features include a front mounted 12,000lb winch, 15kw Onan generator 2 power reels, 500HP Cummings motor. Full ground ladder compliment with a custom compartment in ladder tunnel for D-Handled pike poles. All LED lighting package, and Havis halogen lighting all around including at aerial tip. Delivery to Greenwood is expected the end of July.

Alert Ambulance has purchased Pathways. It is my understanding that the Pathway trucks are being relettered.

Boston has put out to bid 3 pumpers and 2 ladders. My understanding is the requested delivery time frame is later this year for the pumps and 2009 for the ladders.

Freeport, ME has placed an order with Pierce for a 1500/750/40F pumper on a Quantum chassis. Delivery is expected in September and it will replace Engine 5.

Hartord, CT has placed an order with Sutphen for a 95' tower ladder.

Holliston, MA has purchased a Pierce demo pumper w/ 1250 GPM pump. Delivery is expected by the end of February. It will replace a 1985 Farrar/Duplex.

The Reading, MA Fire Department has placed an order for a 2008 Seagrave 100' Force Ladder on a Marauder II, C-13 Cat Motor, Allison Transmission. The truck has a wireless and remote control nozzle, prepiped pinnable waterway, 500gpm pump, 300 gallon tank, Electric Amkus tool, winch set up, technical rescue lifting device, 25 kw hydraulic generator with reels, All LED warning system and compartment lighting. A color rear view camera system. It carries a large complement of ground ladders, 45, 35, 38, 20, 16, 10,fresno ladder and 6' step ladder.

Smithfield, RI has funds appropriated to purchase a ladder truck and a chief's vehicle.

Warren, RI has placed an order with Greenwood Emergency Vehicles (E-One) for a 100' platform.

Some interesting changes in the Stamford, CT Fire Department:
Effective at 0800 hours on Wednesday, January 2, 2008; Stamford Fire and Rescue Engine Co. 6, which formerly served from Central Fire Headquarters on Main Street, was permanently relocated to the Glenbrook Volunteer Fire Station on Arthur Place in the Glenbrook neighborhood. Engine 6 will continue its normal assigned staffing of one Officer and three Fire Fighters per shift. The 9 former career employees of the Glenbrook Fire Company have become merged employees of Stamford Fire and Rescue. One of the Glenbrook employees was laid off in July and rehired last week. The Glenbrook Fire Marshal will be reassigned to the Stamford Fire and Rescue Fire Marshal's office and will continue to serve the Glenbrook neighborhood in the future. All other Glenbrook employees will be reassigned to the Fire Suppression Division following a brief orientation period.
In addition, the 9 career Fire Fighters assigned to the Belltown Volunteer Fire Department have been removed from the Belltown Station by the City. 3 of the employees had been laid off in July and were rehired as part of the staffing changes. All 9 former Belltown employees will be assigned to the Fire Suppression Division following a brief orientation period. The Belltown Station will now respond strictly with volunteer personnel. The City Fire Department and/or the Turn of River Fire Department will respond to assist (if needed) on all incidents occurring within the Belltown response area.
The majority of the 17 career staff in the Turn of River Fire Department have also voted to merge into the City Fire Department. The City intends to open two new Engine Companies at Turn of River Fire Station 1 and 2 using City Fire Staffing. However, several legal challenges from the Fire Company and other groups have left the timetable for this to be uncertain at this time.
The new HME 75' quint for Engine 6 should be in service within the next two weeks. This will be the primary unit from the Glenbrook Station. The 2005 HME that Engine 6 is currently using will be reassigned, but the final determination to which Engine Co. will get the rig has yet to be determined.