The Lexington Fire Department unveiled what the city is calling an “unprecedented investment” in new fire trucks and medical vehicles Thursday.
But the new arrivals will be replacing fleet equipment that is long past its prime.
With 22 fire companies on duty every day and only two new vehicles since 2006, assistant fire chief Harold Hoskins says the shiny engines parked at the E. Third Street station are a welcome sight.
"We were getting in some pretty dire straits as far as the age and the condition of the fleet," Hoskins notes. "Even our reserve fleet is beginning to show a lot of wear and tear because they were used as much as some front line companies over the last couple years. So by adding five new engines, that's a big shot in the arm."
In all, the city spent $5.3M on the engines, along with two new ladder trucks, and an ambulance company. Officials say the recession delayed delivery of the new equipment, but the department is now beginning to benefit from the investment thanks to budget surpluses.
The vehicles will be used in 10 fire stations throughout the community.