SALEM - The Fire Department is considering changing its practice of leaving the keys in the fire inspector's car after the vehicle was stolen over the weekend.

The 2002 Ford Taurus was stolen sometime between Saturday and Sunday morning from the rear lot of the Main Street fire headquarters. The keys were inside the car at the time.

Firefighters learned of the theft shortly before 9 a.m. Sunday when Hampton police called to say they had recovered the car. Police said they found it parked in the state parking lot between La Bec Rouge Restaurant and Aloha ice cream. The driver and passenger windows had been smashed.

Salem fire Capt. Joe Kamal said the keys are usually left in the car so firefighters can quickly respond to emergency calls, a practice that may now change.

"Usually, it's just parked out back. We've generally not had problems with thefts," he said. "Obviously, now we're considering revamping our protocols. The keys were in it for a fast response time to emergency situations."

Kamal said the vehicle is usually driven by Salem's fire inspector to do code enforcement and fire safety checks around town. The car also is used as a backup command vehicle when off-duty administrators respond to emergency calls, he said.

Salem's deputy police chief, William Ganley, said no equipment was stolen from the vehicle.

"It did look like someone tried to remove a rear strobe light," he said.

Police and fire officials said this is the first time they've had a theft of a Fire Department vehicle. Kamal said the damages could total $1,000. The town vehicle is insured.

Kamal said fire inspector Tom Muse won't be without wheels because of the theft. He can use another car while his is being repaired. Yesterday, the car was parked inside the Main Street station.