Baptism by Fire: Verona's Engine 14 Makes Debut in a Blaze of Glory

Although the phrase, baptism by fire, is a reference to a soldier's first experience under fire in battle, a similar situation happened to Verona’s new fire engine, Engine 14. Newly delivered, the engine got called into service when the alarm came in for the Morningside Road, Memorial Day house fire. This was a big one and the new Engine 14 got christened…big time.

“This was one of two primary engines on the scene and it did a great job, commented Assistant Fire Chief, Harvey Goodman. “Pumped for three hours like a champ.”

According to Goodman, the cost for the engine came in under budget at a little over a half million dollars.

The average life span of a fire engine is 20-25 years.  Engine 12, currently in the Township’s fleet, dates back to 1982. Goodman said the safety codes change and the newer equipment must comply with the updated standards. “There was a time when you could have exposed jump seats behind the cab, with firefighters exposed to the weather and the possible risk of being hurt if they fell off or got involved in an accident. Now all seats must be inside the cab and all seats have seatbelts, with an indicator that lets the driver know when all are buckled in.”

The days of seeing fire trucks whiz by with firemen, in gear, standing on the backs and sides of the truck are long gone.

The new engine is fitted with enough pressure valves, gauges and other assorted gizmos to make it look like the command deck of the Starship Enterprise. However, a memento from the past is also proudly displayed on the front bumper. It is the fire bell from a 1916 Seagrave Fire Engine, from one of the Townships earlier trucks. Goodman explained, “This bell keeps getting passed down and refitted to the new engine that comes into our service every couple of decades or so. It is unique because not only does the pendulum swing, but the bell swings back and forth too. We had it refurbished and installed.

The new engine is housed at Station #2 on Bloomfield Avenue, across from Everett Field. Goodman said the traditional “wetdown” is scheduled for September depending on other schedules. A wetdown is a ritual for new fire apparatus in volunteer fire departments across the United States. Neighboring fire companies come to spray the new fire engine with water from their engines to welcome the new equipment. It is a bit of an anointing and good luck measure because in many instances, neighboring fire companies assist each other with major fires in adjacent towns, as was the case with the Memorial Day fire Engine 14 cut its teeth on.