03/16/2026
There has been some misinformation circulating regarding the Smithfield Fire Departmentโs proposed tanker purchase, and we would like to clarify the facts for our community.
Our current tanker is a 1996 Freightliner equipped with a 2,000-gallon tank and a 300 GPM pump. This apparatus is now outdated and no longer meets the operational needs of our department or the community we serve.
The proposed replacement would be a tanker with a 2,000-gallon tank and a 1,250 GPM pump. In addition to providing significantly greater pumping capacity, this apparatus would also be capable of operating as an engine if our first-due engine is out of service for maintenance or repairs. This ensures that we can continue to respond effectively without relying on mutual aid departments to cover our primary response area.
There has also been confusion about the cost. The apparatus currently being considered is priced at $529,158, not the $950,000 figure that was associated with an earlier proposal.
Additionally, the fire service follows nationally recognized standards. NFPA 1901 Annex D recommends that fire apparatus older than 25 years be retired from service. Our current tanker is approaching 30 years old and has exceeded that recommendation.
As stated in the legal notice, the annual payment for the new apparatus would be $30,908.38 per year for 10 years, with a $300,000 down payment applied toward the purchase.
Our goal is to continue providing safe and reliable service to the residents of Smithfield while responsibly replacing aging equipment. If anyone has questions, we encourage you to contact the Fire Chiefs or the Fire Commissioners.
