OTISFIELD — By juggling with some Yankee ingenuity, Otisfield’s fire department will take delivery of a new fire engine by next summer.

It will replace the oldest of the town’s fleet of three, a 1996 engine that carries 1,000 gallons of water that can pump up to 1,250 gallons a minute. The new truck will have the same capacity with a slightly larger pump.

Working with Greenwood Emergency Vehicles of Maine, Otisfield Fire Chief Kyle Jordan determined that if Otisfield ordered its engine from fire vehicle manufacturer E-ONE out of Ocala, Florida in January of this year it could be ready in 18-24 months.

Even though townspeople had yet to approve funds to purchase a new fire truck, the purchase agreement contained a contingency allowing it to be cancelled if voters rejected the proposal during annual town meeting in June.

“We ordered it ahead of approval at the advice of our salesman,”  Jordan explained. “We would be under no obligation if it was voted down, which I didn’t expect to happen.

“Our town has always been 100% supportive of the fire department. Anything that we have needed, they have provided for us.”

Tapping what amounted to a pre-order, Otisfield was able to advance its queue position in E-ONE’s manufacturing schedule. By the time the engine was approved during June 29’s town meeting six months had been shaved from its expected delivery time.

Since then, Greenwood has confirmed with Jordan that E-ONE will deliver the truck by this time next year. He added that the final price for the truck will be right around $450,000, $50,000 less than what voters approved.

At Otisfield’s August 21 selectmen’s meeting, Fire Chief Kyle Jordan, left, honored EMS Chief Beth Damon for her 10 years serving as assistant department chief. Damon recently stepped down from her department chief duties but will continue as EMS chief. That evening Ryan Fox was promoted from captain to second deputy chief and Scott Berk was promoted from lieutenant to captain. Submitted photo

Jordan also reported that he has promoted two officers within the fire department: Ryan Fox has been elevated from captain to second deputy chief and Scott Berk was named captain after serving as second lieutenant for the last year.

Beth Damon, who has served in the dual role of second deputy chief and EMS chief for several years, recently stepped down as deputy but will continue to lead Otisfield’s emergency medical service operations.

Fox assumes her former assistant chief duties, while Berk takes on Fox’s previous position.

Jared Damon has served as first deputy chief for the last 10 years and will continue.

Beth Damon was honored during the town’s August 21 selectmen’s meeting with a 10-year service plaque and new shield for her helmet. Fox and Berk were both pinned in their new ranks the same day.

October is National Fire Prevention Month. To commemorate, Otisfield’s fire department is planning for its annual visit to Otisfield Community School.

“It’s one of our absolute favorite days,” Jordan said. “To go in and see the kids and teach them how to be safe.

“We are very grateful for the community support we get. We love doing the job we do and we’re committed to our townspeople and safety of the town of Otisfield.”