VIDEO: The Village of Owego is welcoming back one of its heroes. The 1866 Amoskeag Steam Fire Engine is back after nearly four decades out of operation.

Patrick Gavin with the Owego Hose Team said the town is believed to own the oldest operating fire steam engine in the United States.

It began to be used just after the Civil War and made a major impact on the Owego Fire Department until the 1920s.

“Steam fire engines replaced bucket brigades and hand pumpers where firefighters would actually have to pump the pumps by hand in a large municipality that would, for a major fire, that would take an upwards of 100 to 150 firefighters to do that job,” Gavin said. “When the steam fire engine was created, it reduced that number down to two firefighters.”

But since the 1980s, the steamer has sat vacant at Owego’s central fire station. Assistant Fire Chief Charlie Olmstead said it was a shell of its former self.

“It was not workable whatsoever. It was just sitting there,” Olmstead said. “It was pretty much wasting away.”

But Gavin and the hose team were determined to bring it back to its former glory.

WBNG-TV CBS/CW+ 12 Binghamton

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The Gig Harbor Fire Department rescued a tiny kitten from a vehicle’s rear suspension. According to the department, the kitten ran into traffic and then climbed inside. “Not our typical extrication call,” they said. Engine 52 responded and safely rescued the tiny passenger with help from the police department and Eagle Tire. The kitten was okay and the department says it found its forever home. The department shared video of the rescue:

KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

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VIDEO/PHOTO: Two members of the Massachusetts National Guard are being treated for minor injuries after their vehicle caught fire in Connecticut, officials said.

The fire happened on Wednesday evening on Interstate 84 West in Willington near exit 71.

Mass. National Guard officials said the fire involved an M1075A2 Palletized Load System that was assigned to the 181st Engineer Company.

They were on their way to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey for training.

According to officials, initial reports suggest the fire may have started due to a mechanical failure, but the cause remains under investigation.

Drivers were diverted off the highway at Exit 71, and a portion of I-84 West was closed for hours while crews worked. The highway has since reopened.

“We are grateful for the rapid response and professionalism of the Connecticut State Police, local fire departments, EMS personnel, and all first responders who assisted at the scene,” said National Guard officials.

NBC Connecticut

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The order marks the department’s move from commercial chassis pumpers to Pierce custom fire apparatus.

The post Minneapolis (MN) Fire Department Prepares to Add Three New Pierce Enforcer Pumpers appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

The order marks the department’s move from commercial chassis pumpers to Pierce custom fire apparatus.

The post Minneapolis (MN) Fire Department Prepares to Add Three New Pierce Enforcer Pumpers appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.