Washington Evening Journal
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Washington Fire Department adds custom-built engine to fleet
AnnaMarie Kruse
Oct. 13, 2025 2:14 pm
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WASHINGTON — After nearly two years of waiting, the Washington Fire Department celebrated the arrival of a new custom-built engine on Oct. 8 with a ceremony and short ride around town, following its delivery in August. This addition marks a major upgrade in firefighting capacity for the city.
The new fire engine arrived in Washington in early August, according to Fire Chief Brendan DeLong, but the Oct. 8 event gave the public, and important donors, a first look. The department showed their appreciation for Washington County Riverboat Foundation’s $250,000 contribution toward the purchase of the engine by taking members of the foundation board on a ride.
The $250,000 grant covered about a quarter of the cost of the new engine; the department funded the rest through city support and other budgeted sources.
Chief DeLong stated that the engine is now part of the station’s “first-out” fleet. Unlike older rigs, the new unit carries six firefighters in one go. It offers space for two non-SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) personnel and four fully equipped SCBA firefighters in the back.
“They’re packed up. They’re in gear. They’re fully ready to go grab a hose line and go straight into the house,” he said. “So theoretically, it speeds up our response by being able to haul that many more people. We don’t have to wait for another truck to get there or something.”
Built to department specifications by Toyne in Breda, Iowa, the engine features a flat-front cab indicating a full custom build, which is unlike chassis-based units with standard bodies. DeLong said every spec, from seating to storage and pump design, reflects what the department needed.
“When I say full custom, it’s every spec we want on that truck designed to what we need,” he said.
The new engine includes a 2,000-gallon-a-minute pump and expanded storage for rescue equipment.
“We wanted a lot of storage space because this truck is also going to respond to car wrecks in the district,” DeLong said. “So, we wanted a lot of storage for all the Jaws of Life, the cutter, everything in the back.”
Built in Iowa, DeLong said, the engine also reflects a source of local pride.
“It was built in Northwest Iowa by a company called Toyne, and it was built in Breda, Iowa,” he said. “So that’s kind of cool that it was built right here in our home state.”
This addition enters a lineup that now includes three first-out engines. The department intends to rotate the new engine into constant front-line service, relying on its capacity to carry more personnel and equipment from the moment a call comes in.
The Washington County Riverboat Foundation, which is funded by casino gaming revenues and awards grants to municipalities and nonprofits in the region, supports projects that enhance community infrastructure and safety. Its backing of the fire engine underscores its role in helping local governments meet capital needs.
With the new engine on the streets, Washington’s Fire Department positions itself to respond more efficiently to emergencies — delivering more manpower and gear immediately on more calls.
Contributions made to this article by The Southeast Iowa Union’s Jack Knowlton.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com