LYNNFIELD — The Lynnfield Fire Department’s Ladder 1 truck is currently undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment, but the department has remained “operational” thanks to assistance from the Saugus Fire Department.

Saugus recently provided its Ladder 1 truck to Lynnfield as a replacement, allowing LFD to continue responding to emergencies. Capt. Chris Cavalieri told The Item that Lynnfield’s truck is nearing 20 years old and that making these repairs are a necessary investment to extend the truck’s service and ensure it is functioning. Doing so will also save taxpayers thousands of dollars in the future instead of replacing an entirely new aerial ladder truck, he said.

Cavalieri mentioned that, to his knowledge, the repairs include making sure everything is “up to standards” within the truck and making any needed replacements.

“It’s still a truck that’s in very good shape,” he added. “Our goal here is to invest some money in it now and keep it for another several years instead of having to go and purchase another ladder truck for you know a few million dollars. We’re going to spend some money on it now to keep it in service.”

Lynnfield firefighters had to complete extensive training on Saugus’ apparatus to familiarize themselves with its features and any other capabilities.

Cavalieri extended his gratitude to the Saugus Fire Department for the help, especially given that there are a limited number of ladder trucks in the surrounding area that were readily available. While Lynnfield firefighters might be in a new truck for the time being, Cavalieri ensured that there won’t be any interruptions in the meantime.

“We’re very grateful to them, [and] we appreciate that they were willing to do this for us,” he said of Saugus’ help. “For them to be able to do this for us is huge as far as our department and keeping the town and the taxpayers safe and still being able to provide the services that we provide without interruption.”