That gleaming new fire engine parked outside of your local fire station was the result of a lot of well-calculated decisions—and time. 

A couple of years ago, Hand-in-Hand Fire Company began the process of replacing its fire engine, which hails from 2000. The fire engine, also called a “pumper,” goes on about 80% of the fire company’s calls, and is considered a main fire attack piece. 

Given its central importance in firefighting, each fire engine must be custom-engineered and built to serve the specific uses of its company. Currently the entire lifecycle of a new fire truck order, from initial communication through final inspection, is a process that takes years, particularly when delivery delays due to backlogged manufacturers and supply chain issues are factored in. 

In the case of Hand-in-Hand, once the decision to replace its rig was made, the Fire Company quickly went to work. A committee was formed in July 2022, which drew up a list of specs needed for the new pumper. The new rig’s design and features are based on a careful analysis of their needs, as well as an audit of the details and features of the current fire engine, now 24 years old. 

From there, the committee gathered proposals from different manufacturers. “Once we chose the manufacturer,” says Jerry Petersheim, who is co-chair of the Engine 41 Replacement Committee, “we got a little bit deeper into the specification of the engine, and customized it to what our needs are to serve our community.” Technology and safety updates are among the features of the new engine, along with a roomier eight-man cab, 1000-gallon water capacity and a compressed air foam system that enhances water used in firefighting.

The order for the upgraded new engine has been placed by the Fire Company, which anticipates another 2.5 to 3 years for a significant update on its progress. “We have signed for it,” reports Petersheim. “Because of the manufacturers backlog being so far out now, it’s basically just a matter of waiting on the manufacturer to move it up in the queue.”