Everyone connected with the Warren Fire Dept., especially members of Narragansett Engine Co. #3, are ecstatic now that they have a brand new 2022 KME Panther Series truck in their possession.

According to Fire Chief James Sousa, this latest fire truck edition was two years in the making.

“It replaces the 1993 KME truck, which will now stay as a reserve,” he said. “It was bought from Bulldog Fire Apparatus and was made in Louisiana and Pennsylvania.”

Narragansett Engine Co. #3 has a great tradition in the town of Warren, having been established in 1846 and serving the town with pride and decorum. Members gathered this past Saturday morning for a training session under the direction of Brian Ouellette. Things went exceedingly well.

Chief Sousa noted that the new truck will be ready to roll soon.

“It should be in service within a week,” he said. “The guys went very comfortable with the training session and are eager to go.”

Town Councilman Joseph DePasquale is also excited that the town has a new fire truck that everyone can be excited about.

"I’m very proud to be able to provide and support the community with a new fire truck,” he explained. “We did not borrow for it, we purchased it from the general fund and it’s 100% paid for. Health and safety are our number one concerns. We are always grateful for our fire fighter volunteers who man our stations. Engine 3 is one of our oldest stations with over 150 years of service. We are forever grateful."

Bristol Fire Chief Michael A. DeMello said Warren’s new fire truck will be a great asset to the town of Warren.

“It’s great to see our neighboring community supporting its volunteer firefighters by providing this new apparatus, allowing them to continue protecting their residents and visitors,” he noted.

“I have the upmost respect and admiration for the Warren Fire and Rescue volunteer personnel,” added State Senator Walter S. Felag, Jr. “During my time as Councilman for 20 years, our goal was to have the best equipped and trained volunteer fire personnel in the state. As their State Senator, I fully support this new fire truck and all new top-rated equipment to ensure our volunteers are well protected and trained.”

He concluded, “I have ensured no legislation is passed to eliminate this volunteer spirit and is currently working with Rep. Speakman and state leaders to appropriate $15 million for PFAS free personnel protective gear for 2,400 professional and 1,400 volunteer firefighters.”

Parked alongside the Narragansett Fire Station on Vernon Street, this latest fire truck is something to behold. It has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a truck of this magnitude.