May 18, 1891 – Company organized at 260 Sumner Street , at the corner of Orleans St., East Boston. The firehouse was built in 1865 and was formerly occupied by Engine Company 11. Engine 40 was assigned a new 1891 Silsby First Size rotary steam engine, Serial # 977.
June 30, 1902 – Company received an 1890 Silsby Second-Size rotary steam engine, Serial # 963, ex-Engine 16, rebuilt by the American Fire Engine Co. as a piston pumper. The steam engine, Serial # 977, was also rebuilt and reassigned to Engine 27.
November, 1909 – Company received a 1906 Amoskeag Extra First-Size steam engine, Serial # 784, ex-Engine 25. The steam engine, Serial # 963, was reassigned to Engine 9.
April 17, 1916 – Captain Thomas J. Lannary, Engine Company 40, was profiled in a Boston Globe article. Newspaper story
July 24, 1923 – The horse-drawn engine and hose wagon were replaced by a motor pumping engine and a motor hose & chemical wagon. The pumper was a new 1923 American LaFrance, Type 75, 750gpm, Serial # 4340, Shop # 157 , and the hose wagon was a new 1923 American LaFrance, Type 75, Hose & Chemical Wagon, Serial # 4349, Shop # 344.
October 3, 1923 – Due to renovations, company moved to the quarters of Chemical Engine Co. 7 at 360 Saratoga Street, East Boston.
November 8, 1924 – Company moved back to 260 Sumner Street, East Boston.
April 4, 1941 – Company received a 1928 American LaFrance Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 6319, Shop # 364 , ex-Engine 3.
January 15, 1946 – Company received a 1930 American LaFrance Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 7372, Shop # 375 , ex-Engine 11. The Hose & Wagon, Shop # 364 , was reassigned to Engine 11.
August 8, 1947 – Company received a new 1947 American LaFrance ‘700 Series’ 750pgm pumper, Serial # L-3124, Shop # 120.
June 10, 1948 – Company received a new 1948 Mack, Type 95, 1000gpm pumper, Serial # 95LS-1111, Shop # 130.
July 19, 1948 – Company received a new 1948 Mack, Type 85, ‘Cardox’ Hose & Booster Wagon, Serial # 85LS-1245, Shop # 396. (This rig was restored to original from 1990-1994 by the Boston Firefighters Relief Association. The rig is still active and is used in parades and other similar events.)
March 16, 1950 – Company received a new 1950 Mack, Type 85, ‘Cardox’ High Pressure Booster Wagon, Serial # 85LS-1421, Shop # 341. The 1948 Mack Hose Wagon, Shop # 396 , was assigned to Engine Company 5.
January 29, 1956 – On January 29, 1956, Fire Lieutenant Michael A. Langone, Engine Company 40, and Fire Fighter Thomas J. Slattery, Engine Company 40, were injured at Box 6172, 4 alarms, at 65-67 Trenton Street, East Boston. Fire Fighter Slattery suffered a Line-Of-Duty death later that day. Fire Lieutenant Langone suffered a Line-Of-Duty death on February, 2, 1956.
December 28, 1956 – A new Mack ‘Cardox/Ansul Unit’ was placed in service for response with the company to selected boxes and special calls, Shop # 382.
January 6, 1958 – The Combination Cardox/Ansul Unit, Shop # 382.was reassigned to Engine 9.
1963 – Fire Fighter Julius C. Sutton of Engine Company 40 was awarded the Roll Of Merit. Citation
August 28, 1971 – Company received a 1968 Ward LaFrance, Model P80, 1250gpm pumper, Serial # 80-234, Shop # 162 , ex-Engine 28.
May 13, 1977 – Company moved to new quarters at 239 Sumner Street , East Boston, along with Engine 9 and Ladder 2. The old firehouse at 260 Sumner Streetwas abandoned. It was later used by the City of Boston Department of Public Works.
April 10, 1981 – COMPANY DEACTIVATED.
