Engine Company #8

Engine #8 Pump
1999 Pierce Saber
1250 gpm pump/500 gallon water tank
Semi Automatic External Defibrillator Equipped
photo by Ed Fowler

Combination Wagon #1 was established on 5 June 1905 in new quarters (with Truck Company #4) at 113 Garden Street. This  company was the predecessor to Engine 8. The company was temporarily staffed with detail men from Truck 4.

On 1 March 1919, the horse-drawn combination wagon was replaced with a motorized American LaFrance 750 gpm, triple-combination pump.The company was now designated as Engine Company #8. A new American LaFrance hose wagon was placed in service by the company in 1927.

In 1935, a new Seagrave triple-combination 750 gpm pump was placed in service. In 1949, a new GMC/Robinson high-pressure hose wagon was placed in service. In December of 1962, a new Pirsch 1000 gpm pump was assigned to the company. A new International/Farrar hose wagon was assigned to Engine 8 in July of 1967. In 1974, the pump was equipped with 5" hose.

In January of 1979, Engine 8's Pirsch pump was placed out of service. The company ran with a series of spare pumps until September of 1981 when the 1962 Pirsch pump returned to service after extensive rebuilding. The pump now was equipped with a hose-reel to carry the 5" hose. Also in June of 1979, the company was assigned a new hose wagon, a new   International/Continental.

The former hose wagon of Engine 4 (also formerly Engine 2's), a 1982 International/Maxim was assigned to Engine 8 on 12 May 1988. The 1979 hose wagon was scrapped. On 6 August 1989, a 1978 Pirsch 1250 gpm pump (former Engine 2) was assigned to Engine 8. On 15 August 1996, Engine 8 became a single-unit company as the 1982 hose wagon was scrapped.

Engine 8's current apparatus, the 1999 Pierce Saber, was placed in service on 26 November 1999.

Engine 8 Annual Statistics

*In 2001/02, the definition of a building fire was modified.

Engine 8 Captain:
Fire Captain Sean P. White
e-mail address: SWhite@cambridgefire.org