The Rahway Fire Department is located in the City of Rahway, in Union County, New Jersey. It is a career agency that protects a population of approximately 30,000 residents in an area of about 4 square miles. The department started as a volunteer fire company in 1815 as Washington Engine Company No. 1. After this original fire company was established, nine other fire companies were started. They were the Franklin Engine Company No. 2, Eagle Engine Company No. 3, Independence Hook & Ladder Company No. 1, Vulcan Engine Company No. 4, Liberty Engine Company No. 5, Excelsior Hook & Ladder Company, Washington Hook & Ladder Company, The Washington Chemical Engine Company, and Lincoln Hook & Ladder Company No. 2. A paid fire department was established in 1923. The department operates two fire stations. The Headquarters station houses four engines (one spare), two ladders (one spare), two rescues, (one spare), two flood/high water rescues, one rescue boat, a shift commander’s vehicle, and two utility units. Station two houses two engines (one spare).
ENGINE 2
Engine 2 is a stock unit purchased to reduce the lead times on fire apparatus. The rig is an addition to the fleet, but could also be switching with the current Engine 3. Chief of the Rahway Fire Department, Michael Roberts, states that the 2013 Spartan ER pumper (Engine 3) is still functional and continues to support the department’s needs. However, it is approaching the end of its recommended lifespan, which is typically around 15 years. By planning ahead and ordering the new truck before the 15 years approaches, the city is making sure there’s no gap in service or safety. “This isn’t just about getting a new truck,” says Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe, Jr. “It’s about protecting our residents and giving our firefighters the tools they need to do their job safely and effectively. When we invest in equipment like this, we’re investing directly in our community’s well-being.” This stock engine was purchased through Campbell Supply Company.
All Rahway (NJ) Fire Department Engine Companies (L-R Engine 4, Engine 3, Engine 2, Engine 1).
Engines 1 and 2
Engine 2 is a 2026 Spartan ER Stock Extreme Duty Star Pumper. Engine 2 has a Spartan MetroStar MFD cab with 10-inch raised roof. It is similarly built to its sister rig, Engine 1, a 2022 SpartanER 1,500/750 pumper. The department also has two other Spartan ER engines: Engine 3, a 2013 Spartan 1,500/750/30 pumper, and Engine 4, a 2018 Spartan 1,500/750/30. there are only a handful of changes between engines 2 and 1. Engine 2 is powered by a Cummins X10 450-hp motor with an Allison 3000 EVS automatic transmission. Engine 2 sports a Waterous CMU 1,500-gpm pump and a 750-gallon water tank.
Engine 2 features include a 21-inch front bumper, seating for six, full driver side compartments with hard suction hose above, a low hosebed (46.50 inches from the tailboard), and low-side roll-up compartments on the officer’s side with storage for high-rise packs and ground ladders above. The front bumper of this rig is equipped with a supply intake, a discharge, and a Federal Q2B siren. Engine 2 has a Zico ladder rack on the officer’s side that carries a 24-foot two-section extension ladder, a 14-foot roof ladder, and two pike poles. There are hose troughs on either side of the rig that carry pony lengths of 5-inch LDH, each 25 feet. The 46-inch-high hosebed has four dividers for various attack and supply lines. Engine 2 has two rear discharges, has one LDH discharge, and three LDH intakes for supply. Overall length is 30 feet 9 inches.
It has three crosslays: two with 200 feet (each) of 1¾-inch line and one 200-foot crosslay of 2½-inch line. The front bumper also carries 50 feet of 1¾-inch line. The rear hosebed carries 1,000 feet of 5-inch LDH, 400 feet of 2½-inch connected to a gated wye, 400 feet of 2½-inch dead load, 300 feet of 1¾-inch dead load, and 200 feet of 2½-inch dead load.
