Fla. FD buys four new fire engines to replace aging apparatus

Wayne Washington
Palm Beach Post

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The West Palm Beach Fire Department has bought four new fire engines, replacing much older ones the department had relied upon to battle fires.

Three of the fire engines were purchased for $674,745 each. A fourth was obtained through a lease.

Each new fire engine, called a fire pumper in the industry, can carry fire hoses, fire equipment, medical equipment and 750 gallons of water.

“We are pleased to be able to upgrade and replace our fire department’s equipment,” West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James said. “These four new engines will enhance both the safety of our city and the firefighting capabilities of our fire personnel as they protect our city.”

Money from fire assessment fees was used to buy the new engines.

Four fire stations in the city will each get one of the new engines. One will go to station No. 1 at 500 N. Dixie Highway. Another will go to station No. 3 at 5050 Broadway Avenue, and another will go to station No. 4 at 1718 Parker Avenue.

The final engine will go to station No. 7 at 8007 Okeechobee Boulevard.

West Palm Beach Fire Department Chief Diana Matty said the new engines will help firefighters get to fire scenes more safely and will help them be more effective in battling blazes when they get there.

“These cutting-edge pumpers have an improved turning radius to help firefighters navigate the city’s narrow streets and roundabouts,” Matty said. “They are equipped with state-of-the-art sirens, a vibrating horn called a Rumbler and LED lights to enhance the public’s awareness of an approaching apparatus.”

The city is working on plans to allow members of the public to see the new fire engines in the neighborhoods where they are being put into use.

Two years ago, the city commission considered the request because at the time eight of the city’s 18 Fire Rescue vehicles were more than 10 years old and three had undergone major engine repairs. Four pumper trucks were nearly 19 years old at the time and required costly repairs.

Along with repairs, the aging trucks guzzled more diesel fuel. The vehicles date as far back as 2008.

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