Roxborough's Fire Engine Company Reopening Saturday

ROXBOROUGH, PHILADELPHIA — Engine 39, Roxborough's defunct fire engine company, is getting a new life after being closed for nearly 11 years, according to Philadelphia officials.

The Philadelphia Fire Department said the fire company at Ridge Avenue and Cinnaminson Street is one of four engine companies it is reopening.

These four and three others have been closed since Jan. 5, 2009, during the recession.

The fire company said this "unprecedented" move will restore critical fire and EMS service to each company's respective neighborhoods and nearby areas.

Engine 39 and the three others will reopen at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23.

A special public ceremony with Mayor Jim Kenney, Fire Commissioner Thiel, fire department members, and other city officials and dignitaries will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 23 at Engine 39.

Other engine companies reopening are:

• Engine 1 at Broad & Fitzwater in South Philly/Center City
• Engine 8 at 4th & Arch in Old City
• Engine 14 at Foulkrod & Darrah in Frankford

"The restoration of these companies shows how committed we are to keeping our residents safe," Kenney said. "I’m grateful to all our firefighters and EMS providers for their dedicated service to Philadelphia."

The four companies – which had been in service since the 19th century – were among seven that were deactivated on Jan. 5, 2009 during the recession.

The reopenings were made possible by the recent graduation of 121 EMT-certified firefighters, who were hired using a $16.6 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency with additional money from the city.

This is the first time in the PFD’s history that any decommissioned company has been restored, according to records kept by Fireman’s Hall Museum.

"With the city’s continued high demand for fire and EMS response, we see this as restoring a baseline capacity for us to meet national standards," said Thiel. "These engines will truly have a major impact on response times and, we hope, positive outcomes throughout the city."

The return of the companies, whose members will also respond to EMS calls, complements the five additional ambulances that went into service on Nov. 1. The PFD now has 60 medic units in service during peak hours.

Three other companies closed during the recession — Engine 6 in Port Richmond, Ladder 1 in Francisville, and Ladder 11 in South Philly — are in the works to be reopened, as well, officials said.