Engine 5, Salem State's Neighbor at 64 Loring Avenue

The following article was written by Salem State University journalism student Dan Kane.

Salem, MA - Hundreds of students walk by 64 Loring Avenue every single day. But who lives and works there?

One long-time resident – at least some nights of the week – is 23-year firefighter Captain John Monahan.

Located in between the North and Central campuses and the O’Keefe Center, the 64 Loring firehouse is one of four in Salem and it’s home to Salem Fire Engine Number 5 and the firefighters who work as frequent first responders to Salem State University and the surrounding area.

​Monahan, 50, a 23-year firefighter, is one of the regulars. He’s been at the firehouse 13 years of his career.

Salem firefighters work 24-hour shifts called “divisions.” During each division, three firefighters make up the Engine 5 crew. Each man or woman will often work two 24-hour days a week (in comparison to some departments of other cities which have their firefighters work two day and night shifts throughout a standard work week.) Frequently, firefighters from other houses will spend time at Loring Avenue, filling in on their peers’ days off.

Monahan said that Engine 5 has frequently taken calls at Salem State throughout his 13 years at the house. Some include false alarms, medical calls and, on Thursday March 3, the alarm signaled the crew for another call, this one for a stalled elevator Salem State’s new parking garage.

“It’s probably not the best elevator,” joked Monahan. Engine 5 has responded to the stalled elevator multiple times over the past couple of weeks.

Monahan said that the guys he has worked with have been one of the things that make firefighting rewarding.

“It’s the best job in the world,” Monahan said, describing how the mutual experiences shared by a crew often create a bond.

Although some may link firefighting with heroism, Monahan would describe it more realistically as an opportunity to help the community of Salem in which he grew up.

“[Firefighters] doing little things for people means more than anything else,” he said.

In 2015 the firehouse responded to 1,577 calls in the surrounding area, Monahan explained. He said most of these calls were medical, which would include medical emergencies like overdoses.

The house was erected in 1917, at a time where the city’s department bigger. At that time, six firefighters worked 56-hour, two-day shifts out of Loring Avenue. At a work desk inside the house hangs a black and white photo of some of those firefighters who used to work at the station, posing with matching overcoat uniforms and hats.

In the upcoming spring season, Monahan expects the department to be spending a lot of time at the Harrington Building on Salem State’s South Campus. The department runs annual water-based drills there every spring to keep firefighters well trained. He said these drills often involve a deck gun, which can be mounted on and off a fire engine to spray water at ongoing fires.