Department
Eric Smith, Fire Chief
8 School St.
Gloucester, MA 01930
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019
Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: kelsey@jgpr.net
Gloucester Fire Department Debuts New High Water Truck
GLOUCESTER — Chief Eric Smith is pleased to announce that the Gloucester Fire Department put a 2003 Stewart Stevenson High Water Truck into service last week.
On Sunday, Aug. 25, the truck made its debut, after several firefighters worked to outfit and paint the vehicle over approximately six months. The truck was acquired under a Federal Surplus Program by the department this winter, at no cost, through the Department of Conservation (DCR) Essex County Fire Warden Andrew Regan.
“We’d like to thank the DCR Essex County Fire Warden and his staff, and I’d also like to thank the members of our department who have worked on this vehicle over the last several months” Chief Smith said. “I’m confident moving forward that this truck will be a significant resource for our city, and will greatly increase our ability to rescue and evacuate should there be a major flood or similar emergency.”
The truck is the department’s only high water vehicle, and will allow first responders to drive through areas with water as deep as three feet. As a result, the truck will facilitate the department’s ability to rescue and evacuate areas that are otherwise extremely difficult for firefighters and EMTs to reach.
The vehicle will also allow the department to rely less on regional resources in emergencies that call for a high water vehicle.
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