Engine 1 was put into service by the Gorham Fire and EMS on May 5th with a customary push-in ceremony.

The initiative started two years ago when the department looked into possible replacements for Engine 3, which was first acquired in 2005. Officials decided to refurbish and remount the current pump and body onto a new chassis rather than buy a brand-new engine. Dingee Machine finished the job.

According to officials, the remount effort saved about $120,000 above the least expensive new engine, costing $322,000. $100,000 of the funding came from the American Rescue Plan Act, with the remaining monies coming from the department's Fire Truck Capital Reserve account.

During the ceremony, department leadership explained the history of the push-in tradition dating back to the horse-drawn apparatus era. Officials said the new engine represents the department’s continued commitment to firefighter safety, rescue capability, and service to the Gorham community.