(5/14) Continuing its annual tradition, Fairfield Fire and EMS proudly accompanied the Fairfield Little League teams down Main Street and through town to begin their Opening Day ceremonies.
It was a perfect spring day; spectators lined the streets as local ball players marched from the high school toward the fields adjacent to the Fire Hall ready to play ball. Everyone was escorted by the station’s newest-oldest truck – Fairfield’s vintage slice of history - a 1926 chemical wagon on a 1928 Chevrolet frame.
The engine was recently acquired from the renovator, Larry Spangler of Hanover, according to Fire Chief Bill Jacobs. The chemical truck is technically both the first and second fire vehicle Fairfield put into use, he said.
Fairfield’s first vehicle was a 1926 American LaFrance Chemical Wagon, "that for some reason, they took all the stuff off the first truck and put it on a 1928 Chevy," Jacobs said.
Fairfield’s first motorized fire engine was previously on display at its centennial open house in October 2021. The chemical wagon contained extinguishing tanks and utilized fire hydrants to fight fires, according to Jacobs. Spangler Signs of Hanover accomplished the restoration and gold leafing. Six years of restoration brought the vehicle back to its former glory of vibrant fire engine red.
The department is purchasing the fully restored legacy vehicle in installments. "It was something we figured needed to stay in Fairfield. We were so lucky to find it restored, you don’t usually get one of your original fire trucks fully restored," Jacobs said.
The price of purchasing the restored vehicle is $42,000 and planning is underway to hold special fundraisers and seek out business donations to help pay for the piece of history without having to dip into the department rainy day funds.
The Fairfield Fire Company looks forward to showcasing the vehicle in local community parades.
The old truck is not the only piece of history the fire company is attempting to recover. The company is asking anyone who may have coveted pictures of the vintage truck in its heyday or the original Steelman Street firehouse is encouraged to reach out to the department to preserve the community history. "We are looking to fill out our history," he said.
The restored engine will also be on display along with other historic vehicles, at Fairfield Fire’s second annual "Early Day Cruise-In". All car enthusiasts are welcome, along with all classic and show cars, to the showcase at the Fairfield Fire Hall parking lot on June 26. A 1966 Top Fuel Nitro Dragster will also be fired up at noon. The rain date for the showcase will be July 2.
More information about Fairfield Fire and EMS can be found by contacting 717-642-5183 or visiting fairfieldfire-ems.com.
