Engine 9

Engine 9 pump in service 6Aug2024 - 2019 Pierce Enforcer 1250 gpm 1

Engine 9 pump in service 6Aug2024 - 2019 Pierce Enforcer 1250 gpm 2
2019 Pierce Enforcer, 1250 gallons per minute pump, 500 gallon water tank

JJG/Cambridge Fire photos

History of Engine # 9

In the year 1861, a privately owned company was organized by the Boston and Maine Railroad and was located in the Prison Point Yards. This company was designated as Washington #9 and was available to the city upon request. Washington #9 was disbanded in 1866.

On June 7, 1894, Chemical Company #2 was organized in new quarters at 167 Lexington Avenue using a Babcock Chemical Engine with 2 - 60 gallon chemical tanks. In 1916, the company was assigned a new Knox combination Hose and Chemical wagon. The company now was designated as Combination #2.

On October 2, 1928, the company was assigned a new American LaFrance 1000 gpm, triple combination pump. The company was now designated as Engine Company #9.

In 1951, a 1948 Pirsch 1000 gpm pump (formerly Engine 2's) was assigned to the company. On Feb. 1, 1952, a new GMC/Robinson hose wagon was placed in service by Engine 9, making the company double unit. This also made all engine companies in the city two-piece companies.

The pump was involved in an accident on Sept. 24, 1955. Auxiliary pump Engine 11 was now in use by Engine 9. On May 15, 1956, a 1944 Pirsch 750 gpm (former Engine 6) was placed in service as the pump. On July 14, 1967 a new International/Farrar hose wagon was assigned to the company, replacing the 1952 GMC.

A new Maxim, 1250 gpm/300 gallon water tank pump was placed in service on Nov. 3, 1971. Following a succession of spare hose wagons in use by the company, Engine 9 became single unit again in September, 1984.

On May 16, 1986, Engine 9 and Engine 5 swapped pumps. Engine 9 now ran with the 1979 Hendrickson/Continental 1250 gpm/500 gallon water tank pump.

On August 11, 1989, a new 1989 Pierce Lance 1250 gpm/500 gallon water tank apparatus was placed in service. This pump was in service until the spring of 2004, when it was traded in on the newly ordered pump. Engine 9 ran with spare pump Engine 10 (the former Engine 6 pump) until the new pump was delivered and placed in service.

On August 20, 2004, a 2004 Pierce Saber 1250 gpm/500 gallon water tank apparatus was paced in service.

Effective Feb 11, 2021, Engine 9's quarters was temporarily closed for major renovations. Engine 9 relocated to Station 10, the temporary fire house at 144 Smith Place. Engine 9 will share that station with Rescue 1, also temporarily relocated. 

On June 3, 2022, Engine 9 returned home to the 167 Lexington Avenue fire house. This followed the 16 month, $4.3M total reconstruction of the fire house which was first occupied in 1894 by horse-drawn apparatus.

On August 6, 2024, Engine 9 placed a 2019 Pierce Enforcer, 1250 gpm pump with 500 gallon water tank in service. (This is the former Engine 5 pump).

For questions about Engine Company # 9 contact the captain of Engine 9 Here:

Historical information provided by Ed Morrissey

Engine # 9 Statistics

Calendar Year Responses Building Fires
2023 1388 9
2022 1472 13
2021  1476 15
2020 823 18
2019  1081 25
2018 1197 19
2017 1168 23
2016 1084 17
2015 1092 24
2014 971 25
2013 943 20
Fiscal Year Responses Building Fires
2012/2013 968 22
2011/2012 748 13
2010/2011 1044 19
2009/2010 1041 16
2008/2009 1075 29

 

Engine 9 pump Feb 2023 in snow

Engine 9 group 2 2022
2022

Engine 9 group 2 2021
2021

Engine 9 crew June 19 2014 Group 2 on duty
E9, 6/19/14

Engine 9 - group 3 - after shoveling hydrants in the district
Engine 9 - group 3 just returned to quarters after shoveling hydrants in the district - 16 February 2017

 

Engine 91971 Maxim pump and 1967 IH wagon
Engine 9 1971 Maxim pump and 1967 International Farrar hose wagon

chemcial 2 Engine 9
Chemical 2 circa 1894