Riverside

The Riverside Fire Department had a busy 2025, responding to 311 fire and EMS incidents, according to Fire Chief Chad Smoothers.

One of the department’s biggest developments in 2026 is its long-awaited new fire engine. 

The engine is in production at Reliant Fire Apparatus in Slinger, Wisconsin, and is expected to be delivered in October. The Riverside City Council approved the purchase in September at an approximate cost of $1.066 million.

The new engine is a custom Pierce Saber Rescue Pumper with a 1,500-gallon-per-minute Waterous pump and a large water tank for firefighting. It also has an extended rescue body with deep compartments designed to hold specialized equipment. Its 450-horsepower engine will help carry the weight of the water, crew and rescue gear.

The new engine will replace the department’s 2007 Pierce Rescue Engine, which was totaled after being struck on the interstate in April 2025, Smoothers said.

On Sept. 21, the department shared photos of the new engine on Facebook and said production was moving along.