Antique Fire Truck returns to Edgartown
The truck showed up at the fire house just as the festivities at the museum began.
The truck showed up at the fire house just as the festivities at the museum began.
Richard Kelly, left, and John Gasper, driver, who worked on the truck.
Richard Kelly, left, and John Gasper, driver, who worked on the truck.
The dashboard of the 1952 truck.
The dashboard of the 1952 truck.
Richard Kelly shows Rick Mello controls for the pumper. The truck is ready for service.
Richard Kelly shows Rick Mello controls for the pumper. The truck is ready for service.
Andrew Kelly put on a program about a fireman's uniform.
Andrew Kelly put on a program about a fireman's uniform.
1855 Button hand pumper was on display.
1855 Button hand pumper was on display.
The restored truck arrived Saturday on the Island Home.
The restored truck arrived Saturday on the Island Home.
The Edgartown Firemen’s Association welcomed back their 1952 Mack pumper on Sunday with a Fire Museum open house and celebration. The truck arrived on the ferry Island Home late Saturday morning, but the reception was changed to Sunday because of concerns about the weather. Firemen of all ages showed up for hot dogs and hamburgers on a new grill, and there were ingredients on-hand for ice cream sundaes.
The truck, Mack 405A pumper, underwent a six month restoration at Gaspers Automotive Restoration in Bloomfield, Conn. where the truck got new paint, new chrome and overall service. The cost of the work came from Community Preservation Funds, approved by Edgartown voters. John Gasper, of Gaspers Automotive drove the truck over on the ferry and was on hand Sunday to answer questions.
"The truck is in good shape," Mr. Gasper said. The engine had 22,000 miles. It is powered by a six cylinder gasoline engine. Mr. Gasper said the company made 62 of them, and there are quite a few still around. "Old fire trucks don't die. They end up in a field, then someone comes by and restores them," he said. The Edgartown truck has been luckier than others; it has always been a part of the Edgartown fire department.