ROCKLAND, MASSACHUSETTS

Firefighters with the Town of Rockland have taken possession of and put into service a new Pierce Mfg Enforcer fire engine, Engine 11. This engine replaces Engine 3, the 2004 Smeal Engine.

Photo Credit | Rockland Firefighters

Currently, the Fire Department has a (second) grant-funded engine on order, which is due to start the build process shortly. This one will replace Engine 2, a 1992 E-One.

According to the Fire Service, one engine was funded by the Town, from an article at the 2022 Town Meeting, and the second with a grant originally awarded in September of 2022. It is helpful to have a firefighter on staff who can successfully write grants, which he has netted the Department over $4 Million Dollars!

As most know, it can take several years to “build” a piece of fire apparatus.

ABOUT THE ROCKLAND FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Rockland Firefighters are part of the IAFF Local 1602, based out of Rockland (Plymouth County), MA. They cover a 10.5-square-mile service area in a suburban area about 20 miles south of Boston. They serve about 18,000 residents, and about 25 full-time career firefighters operate in four shifts with five members.

Their services include ALS EMS, Firefighting, HAZMAT Response, SAR, and Vehicle Rescue (Extrication).

To learn more about this great Fire Agency, visit their website at http://www.rocklandfirefighters.org/?zone=/unionactive/view_article.cfm&HomeID=194055

It appears the Fire Department only has one station which was constructed (one section) in 1939 (original) and in 1978 (addon). There have been requests from its voters to pass a new Fire Station Headquarters in the 90 block of Church Street.

This is said to be the old Lincoln School site. As with any request for another structure, it is expensive but very much needed in a growing town and population. This would be a $33.2 million project, which was put before the voters in 2023, and was shot down by its community which is a shame because a new plan to reduce expenses has now been changed to reflect $26.1 million.

From our experience, it means the (structure) will be less expansive, cutting out some needs firefighters require from a smaller beanery (kitchen), workout room, and private rooms/bunkrooms. We are unsure what things have been trimmed from the original price tag, but has been significant.

Hopefully, voters will see it as an “investment” for their community, knowing the well-being of their firefighters should be taken into consideration when making an informed decision. If you don’t know what you are “investing in”, ask all of those important questions until you do understand. Your town, firefighters and those who have a vested interest will completely understand and appreciate.

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog – Published Monday, December 30, 2024 2120 PT