Essex Fire Adds New Tanker 1 to Apparatus Fleet

Essex, Mass. — September 4, 2026 —The Essex Fire Department has received a new Tanker 1, replacing an older 1992 tanker that had completed its service life. 

The new apparatus holds 3,000 gallons of water and features a pump that delivers 1,500 gallons per minute, providing Essex firefighters with extra water capacity for emergencies in areas lacking hydrants. 

According to the department’s announcement, voters approved the replacement tanker at the town’s Fall 2025 Annual Town Meeting. The town’s 2025 annual report also confirmed that funding had been approved for a new tanker and stated that the replacement vehicle would hold nearly 800 gallons more water than the old one. 

The new tanker is anticipated to be especially helpful in rural structure fires, where firefighters need to draw water from sources like ponds or other stationary water locations. Essex has also deployed its tanker to assist neighboring departments with water supply during mutual-aid operations. In August 2026, Essex Tanker 1 supported firefighters from Manchester-by -the -Sea and Wenham during a Route 128 truck fire due to insufficient water availability in the region.