The Marlboro Volunteer Fire Department recently retired a 54-year-old fire truck and showed off its replacement.
“The Life and Replacement of a Diamond Icon, 1968 – 2022
“1968 was a turbulent and outstanding year for the world, the USA, and for Vermont,” a Facebook post reads.
“Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. were assassinated, and protests against the Vietnam War were rising across the USA and Europe. The Beatles ‘White Album’ was released, the first successful heart transplant was accomplished, and Phil Hoff was the first Democratic Governor of Vermont since 1853. Vermont passed a law banning roadside billboards, and the Total Loss Farm Commune was established in Guilford.
“In Marlboro, Tom Ragle started his term as President of Marlboro College and the Marlboro Music Festival ended their concert season with Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy with Rudolph Serkin on piano, Benita Valente as soprano and Pablo Casals conducting.
“On April 2, 1968, the Fire Chief of the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company was Bob Bartlett, (father of the current board member and past fire fighter with the MVFC, Ann Bartlett). He, and Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, J.F Herrick, Jr, signed a contract on that day to purchase a brand new, 1968 Diamond Reo Pumper/Tanker fire truck for $17,189. Also on that Board were; T.A. Cunningham, D.J Dalrymple, W.P. Davidson, W.A. Eames, R.V.R Hertzberg, J Nevins, A.T Rylander, S.L. Vonderhorst, J.S Bartlett (Treasurer) and D.G MacArthur (Clerk).
“The Diamond Reo truck, known as Engine #1, has been in active service to the Town of Marlboro since those iconic times, responding to an estimated 1,600 fire events in its 54 years on the job. She has also been a frequent visitor to Marlboro Fair events and town parades. The Diamond Reo is believed to be the oldest active fire truck in the state of Vermont and is highly regarded by fire truck enthusiasts for her age, her condition, her style, and her fortitude.
“On May 12th, 2022, the Board of Directors of the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company (Will Shakespeare-President, Michael Schneider-Treasurer, Carol Ann Johnson-Clerk, Ann Bartlett-member, Fred Muschler-member) authorized the acting Fire Chief, Andrew Richardson, to purchase a replacement truck and give the Reo a gold watch and let her enjoy her days as an antique fire truck, participating in parades and fairs and other celebrations.
“The replacement truck is a beautifully maintained 1995, 1250 gpm Sutphen pumper with a 1000 gallon onboard storage tank that was used and beautifully maintained by the Winooski, Vermont Fire Department. It has a 6-person cab fits into the MVFC firehouse with just a few inches overhead clearance to spare. It has an automatic transmission (which the Reo did not), allowing for more personnel to qualify as drivers. Included in the purchase package was 900 feet of 4” hose, 600’ of 2 ½” hose, a 24’ ladder, a 14’ ladder, and a 10’ ladder. It also has an on-board generator. The replacement truck will inherit the title of Engine # 1 but will be clearly identified in her own style as she is a beautiful sparkling yellow.
“The Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company will be presenting the Sutphen Engine #1 fire truck to the public on June 28th before and after the Marlboro Communi