LYNN — The Lynn Fire Department will be upgrading two of its fire engines after recently receiving much-anticipated replacement pumpers.
The new 2025 pumpers are being installed in Engine 1, which serves the Highlands section of Lynn, and Engine 9, which protects the Tower Hill area.
They have been designed by manufacturer E-One, and were sold to LFD by Greenwood Emergency Vehicles. Each replacement pumper cost $600,000, and were purchased with funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Although the pumpers were purchased two years ago, the devices can take years to build. Both pieces are expected to be in service within the next few weeks once fully outfitted and trained.
“Our firemen work diligently to ensure the fire protection and safety of the citizens of Lynn, so they must have proper working equipment. We appreciate all the support the city has given us,” Chief Dan Sullivan said in a statement.
A main benefit of these new pumpers is that now, all six LFD engines will be built identically.
“We want to try to have all the apparatuses be as identical as possible. It makes it easier for the firefighters when they have to move from firehouse to firehouse. The training on that particular pumper comes with ease, because it’s very similar to the one they just came from,” explained Lt. Denis Ring.
Engine 1’s previous pumper has been operating since 2015, while Engine 9’s had been operating since 2002. Ring said Engine 9 has been running on a spare pumper since last year due to “constant mechanical issues,” while the hills in the Highlands area have put a strain on Engine 1.
“The older an apparatus is, the more it needs to be worked on. Engine 9’s current apparatus got to the point where it wasn’t financially feasible to keep putting money into that pumper,” Ring said.
Greenwood Emergency Vehicles Regional Sales Director Dan Martins said that while each fire department operates differently, a city the size of Lynn would ideally replace its fire apparatuses approximately every 15 years. However, he said it is not unheard of for trucks to run for up to 25 years.
“Lynn is going out and is working these trucks multiple times a day, so the goal is to have a good maintenance and replacement schedule,” Martins said.
Ring expressed his gratitude regarding the timing of LFD’s new pumpers.
“We’re very happy to be getting these new pumpers. They’re greatly appreciated right now, and it’s been on our mind for a while. It’s time,” Ring said.
