Engine 8
2007 Pierce Saber, 1250 gpm pump, 500 gallon water tank
- cfd photo
History of Engine # 8
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 placed a 1999 Pierce Saber in service on 26 November 1999.
In 2013, Engine 8 placed a 2002 Pierce Saber pump into service. This was the former pump of Engine 2.
The current Engine 8 pump went into service on 24 July 2019. The "new" pump, formerly Engine 5's pump, is a 2007 Pierce Saber 1250 gpm/500 gallon water tank.
On September 11, 2019, Engine Company 8 (along with Ladder Company No. 4, and Division 2) moved into a temporary fire house at 144 Smith Place. The company will run out of this temporary fire house while major upgrades are completed to the quarters at 113 Garden Street.
Effective December 1, 2020, the Taylor Square companies including Engine 8 moved back into their fire house in Taylor Square, following extensive building upgrades. Energy saving upgrades include a geothermal HVAC system, LED lighting, new roof, solar panels, new windows, & more. The building was deep cleaned and painted and the kitchen was refurbished. Lightning protection was installed as well as an emergency generator.
For questions about Engine Company #8 contact Captain David J. House via email
Historical information provided by Ed Morrissey
Engine # 8 Statistics
| Calendar Year |
Responses |
Building Fires |
| 2023 |
1360 |
12 |
| 2022 |
1375 |
19 |
| 2021 |
1159 |
17 |
| 2020 |
1164 |
18 |
| 2019 |
1349 |
25 |
| 2018 |
1258 |
22 |
| 2017 |
1215 |
20 |
| 2016 |
1181 |
23 |
| 2015 |
1248 |
32 |
| 2014 |
1139 |
26 |
| 2014 |
1061 |
28 |
| Fiscal Year |
Responses |
Building Fires |
| 2012/2013 |
1125 |
29 |
| 2011/2012 |
933 |
18 |
| 2010/2011 |
1200 |
34 |
| 2009/2010 |
1200 |
22 |
| 2008/2009 |
1322 |
35 |
Ladder 4 and Engine 8, Group 3 January 13, 2017