Retired fire truck to carry deceased firefighters to funerals

By Tom GormanGateHouse News Service

An old fire engine that had fallen into disrepair will get a new life as a bearer for fallen firefighters.

Last week, the Weymouth Fire Department donated a 23-year-old engine to the Massachusetts chapter of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.

Roger Nadeau Jr., the foundation’s regional representative, was formally presented the title and keys to the 1986 Pierce by Weymouth Fire Chief Robert Leary.

The truck was used as a reserve engine and was taken out of service last July after failing a pump recertification test and needing costly repairs.

Failing to find a buyer, Leary sought out donating the engine to a worthy cause.

“When I got a call from the National Fallen Fighters Foundation, I thought that would be a perfect fit,” the chief said.

Nadeau said he plans to spruce up the truck, change its current lime green paint to red, and install a hydraulic lift in the hose bed that would carry caskets during a funeral.

“I’ve been looking for an engine for a long time,” he said, voicing appreciation to Weymouth for donating the truck.

The fire engine was originally owned by the US Navy and stationed at the former South Weymouth Naval Air Station. When the base closed, the town assumed its fire protection.

According to Leary, Weymouth hired 15 firefighters to man the base’s fire station and took possession of the Navy apparatus including the Pierce that was designated as Weymouth Engine 4.

The truck remained in active service until July 2002 when budget reductions forced the elimination of a dozen firefighters and the closure of the air base fire station.

After being re-designated as Engine7, the truck was used as a reserve, filling in for the frontline apparatus during times of maintenance.

 Six years later, the truck was taken out of service after failing a pump recertification test and needing other costly repairs.

Leary placed the truck up for sale with a used truck dealer last fall and failed to find any interested buyers.

“With no interest from any department in the country, I decided to check into donating it to a worthy cause,” Leary said.

Several fire chiefs recommended the truck could be sold to the Dominican Republic.

“I was not comfortable giving it to someone who would have to depend on its performance for their safety,” Leary said.

Last week, several firefighters removed hose and equipment from the truck formally decommissioning it.

Nadeau is a retired New Bedford fire chief. He became involved with the foundation after his brother, Gerry Nadeau, a Fall River district chief, died in the line of duty in 2002.

Roger Nadeau serves as the foundation’s Local Assistance State Team (LAST) coordinator providing training for funerals and counseling for deceased members’ comrades.

He explained that in the event of an in-the-line of duty firefighter death, LAST is notified and immediately responds to help the community’s chief and the fallen jake’s families.

The foundation holds a memorial ceremony the first weekend of each October in Emmitsburg Maryland to honor those firefighters who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

“We don’t care if it’s a volunteer firefighter, a call firefighter, or a career firefighter, we’re there to help them all,” Nadeau said.

After the truck is refurbished, Nadeau plans to hold a dedication ceremony at Weymouth fire headquarters. Leary said he was pleased Nadeau’s quest for a ceremonial truck was over.

“He told me of his search for an engine that would be used strictly for funerals and other memorial ceremonies, so I agreed that this was the right cause,” he said.