Shrewsbury Fire Department takes delivery of new fire engine

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By Melanie Petrucci, Senior Community Reporter

Shrewsbury Fire Department takes delivery of new fire engine
Shrewsbury Fire Engine 1 “Fountain” with Fire Chief Jim Vuona 1 at Shrewsbury Fire Headquarters

Shrewsbury – The Shrewsbury Fire Department recently took delivery of a new fire engine, dubbed “Fountain,” that will join the department’s Fire Engine 2 and 3, also known as “Independent” and “Quinsigamond,” respectively. 

The new truck was custom built by KME of Nesquehoning, Penn., a highly rated fire apparatus manufacturer.

“It’s wonderful!” remarked Robert Ljunggren, senior firefighter, and hazmat technician.  “It’s beautiful and it’s set up for everything with the rescue tools in the back…It’s fully loaded, and you can’t get much better than that.”

As a hazmat technician he especially appreciates the foam on board that provides greater capability to diffuse hazardous situations. 

Funding for the truck was approved by Town Meeting as a capital expenditure for Fiscal Year 2019.

Shrewsbury Fire Department takes delivery of new fire engine
Shrewsbury Fire Engine 1 “Fountain” with Fire Chief Jim Vuona displaying the Jaws of Life Shrewsbury Fire Headquarters

When asked how much the apparatus cost, Fire Chief Jim Vuona said, “$670,000 which includes all the equipment that is on it…a little under $600,000 just for the truck.”

Once funding was approved, a plan was crafted and submitted before it went out for bid, which was an extensive and timely process. Once the paperwork was complete and the manufacturer was in place it took up to a year to build.

The truck seats five and staff has been undergoing training. It boasts a set of hydraulic Jaws of Life and an electric saw that cuts through metal – both of which are stowed on the back of the truck. It also is equipped with medical equipment and a defibrillator.

Photos/Melanie Petrucci

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