Diesel Pumps Boost Fire Protection in Machias and Marshfield

On a recent cold, wet Sunday morning, about 20 firefighters from the Machias, Machiasport, Marshfield, and Jonesboro/Roque Bluffs fire departments gathered to train with a diesel-powered water pump. This pump is designed to enhance fire protection in downtown Machias and Marshfield by allowing crews to draw water from any freshwater source, not just municipal water lines.

The municipal water lines in these towns are not equipped to keep up with the larger pumps used on modern firetrucks and equipment, and they cannot supply enough water for large commercial structure fires. This was evident during the Bluebird Motel fire last Christmas Eve, when crews had to haul in additional water using pumper trucks because the municipal system could not provide sufficient water.

To address this issue, the Marshfield Fire Department acquired two Gorman-Rupp four-cylinder diesel water pumps, each rated at 1,200 gallons per minute. During the recent training, firefighters put one of these pumps to the test, operating three deck guns at full pressure while drawing water from a private pond. The results were impressive, demonstrating the pump's ability to provide adequate water pressure for large-scale fires.

The plan is to have one pump permanently installed at a dry hydrant in Marshfield, one in Machias along the Machias River on Water Street, and one that can be portable and "go anywhere." The Machias pump is expected to cost between $15,000 and $20,000, and the town plans to pursue grants and donations to offset the cost, with the hope of getting contributions from businesses that would directly benefit from the added fire protection.

These innovative water pumps are set to be game-changers for the fire departments in Machias and Marshfield, enhancing their ability to respond effectively to large commercial structure fires and forest blazes, ultimately strengthening the communities' emergency preparedness.