Branford Fire Department's New Truck: Equipped, Certified To Provide Advanced Emergency Medical Care

BRANFORD, CT—It must be a little like Christmas morning for a kid who'd dreamed of a shiny new firetruck under the tree.

The Branford Fire Department is the proud owner of a shiny new fire truck, albeit a special one: a paramedics truck.

Branford Fire Department Chief Thomas Mahoney said the new rig replaces the "existing Engine 1, which is also a paramedic engine."

What makes it special, besides its sleek and modren appearance?

Mahoney said that while it's "simply a fire pumper," it's one "crewed with a paramedic and equipped and certified to provide advanced emergency medical care."

"Because ambulances transport out of town, our system allows our first responders to also be paramedics and bring the emergency room to the doorstep" until a "mutual aid ambulance can arrive;" nearby fire departments that work collaboratively and provide assistance to each other as needed. Mahoney said they "also act as a team with the ambulance crew for higher level medical incidents requiring multiple care providers."

Branford is, and has been, protected by its bravest since the fire department was founded on July 1, 1899 when the "townspeople of Branford gathered" and approved a "$700 purchase—two hand-drawn hose carriages with appliances for use in fighting fires in town."

Firefighting and rescue have come a long way since.

Firematic, distributor for the Pierce fire apparatus manufacturer, congratulated the Branford Fire Department on Facebook Tuesday, noting its new paramedic engine was "days away from final inspection."