10.1.2026 New Engine 9 In-Service Ceremony

The Fall River Fire Department hosted an in-service ceremony at the Raynham/Eastwood Fire Station on Eastern Avenue to officially commission the new Engine 9 (known traditionally as Pumper 9). Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon spoke on the 127-year history of Pumper 9 in Fall River's Flint neighborhood, tracing its lineage back to horse-drawn apparatus operating from Bogle Hill in 1899. Chief Bacon recognized the efforts of the apparatus committee, previous department leadership, Community Development Director Michael Dion, and local and state delegations for securing the new apparatus.

Mayor Paul E. Coogan offered remarks thanking the firefighters for their ongoing dedication to public safety, specifically citing their recent response to contain a fire on Rodman and South Main Street, and praised the citywide teamwork involved in acquiring modern equipment. Former Fire Department Chaplain Father Michael Racine delivered opening prayers and blessed the apparatus with holy water, while also paying tribute to the late Monsignor Thomas Harrington.

Following traditional fire service customs, firefighters conducted a ceremonial wet-down using water transferred from the outgoing 2017 Pumper 9 to the new truck. Firefighters and attendees then conducted a ceremonial push-in of the apparatus into the station bay. Captain Paul Berube officially contacted fire alarm dispatch to place Engine 9 into active service, and the Honor Guard retired the colors to conclude the ceremony.

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