Fire Engine 5 Replacement Nearing Completion

Ocala, Florida - March 26th, 2024: It’s been two years since voters approved the purchase of a new pumper to replace our aging Engine 5, but we’re pleased to report that this critical investment in our apparatus is about to become a reality.

Fire Chief Eric Wilking and Deputy Chiefs Donald Matheson and Jason Fritz are currently in Ocala, Fla., visiting manufacturer E-ONE’s factory to inspect what will soon become our new Engine 5. The purpose of this visit is to ensure that the new vehicle was designed exactly as the department intended and meets all specifications before it arrives at its new home in Exeter, which will most likely be early May.

As part of the visit, the chiefs had an opportunity to tour the factory of E-ONE, which is a leading fire apparatus manufacturer. They were impressed by what they saw and are looking forward to retiring the 22-year-old pumper, which was also built by E-ONE and went into service here in Exeter in 2002. While it has served us well, the vehicle has been showing significant signs of corrosion, wiring decay, pump inefficiency, and age.

This replacement vehicle and the town’s recent vote to approve a new fire substation and police station are reminders of the unwavering support the citizens of Exeter have always shown for public safety. We would like to thank the community once again and we look forward to the new Engine 5’s arrival.