BOSTON - The Boston Fire Department has designated the Waterous Company of South Saint Paul, Minn., as the exclusive manufacturer of fire pumps for its current and future purchases of fire apparatus, according to a release from the City.

This agreement with Waterous will allow the Boston Fire Department Maintenance Division to conduct warrantee work in-house and purchase parts directly from the factory, which will speed up turnaround time for repairs and save the city money.

"Waterous has already begun training our certified Emergency Vehicle Technicians to perform warrantee work," said Fire Commissioner Roderick Fraser. "This will allow the Maintenance Division to get our fire engines repaired more quickly and get them back into service."

The Boston Fire Department has 34 front-line engines in its firehouses. This fiscal year, it will purchase three engines as part of its apparatus replacement plan. They will all have Waterous pumps, according to the release. Waterous designs and manufactures pumps, valves, and hydrants for the fire service and related industries. The entire Waterous product line is designed and manufactured in the United States.