Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD) introduced six new American LaFrance engines at a Memorial Coliseum news conference today.  Fort Wayne Mayor Graham Richard joined Fire Chief Timothy Davie, other city officials and dignitaries as well as American LaFrance representatives at the event which featured the six engines the FWFD will put into service in November.

The six American LaFrance engines will replace older fire engines already in service throughout the city.  These engines are the second part of a two-phase purchasing contract that the City of Fort Wayne has with American LaFrance.  Two ladder trucks were also part of this two-phase purchase.  The total contract was for 12 new engines and two ladder trucks.

"We are pleased to introduce these new, innovative fire engines to the community," said Mayor Richard.  "We are committed to making Fort Wayne the safest city of its size in the country," he added.

Chief Davie said the six new engines and one ladder truck will complement the apparatus currently employed by the FWFD.  "These engines will be replacing units that are more than 9-12 years old.  We are glad that we will be able to use these engines to serve our city," he said.

The new engines will be going to Station 4, 4130 Lahmeyer Road; Station 5, 5801 Bluffton Road; Station 7, 1622 Lindenwood Avenue; Station 8, 6035 Rothman Road; Station 12, 6901 South Anthony Boulevard; and, Station 13, 6272 North Clinton Street.  The new ladder truck will be going to Station 1, 419 East Main Street.  The first six engines purchased under this contract went to Stations 9, 10, 16, 17, 18 & 19 respectively in May, 2005.  The ladder truck went to Station 19.