Engine 1420 will serve as a reserve truck to back up the two, 1998 rescue pumpers. At this time, the Godfrey Fire Protection District 2009 rescue pumper remains out-of-state for an intensive frame replacement.

But just in the nick of time, Assemblywoman Monica Wallace secured a $250,000 state grant for the department that will allow them to replace every tank.

“We’ve been trying other grants, other avenues of funding for the last two years and it hasn’t worked out. But after meeting with Assemblywoman Wallace and explaining our need, it’s only been a few months and she already came through for us, so it’s great,” said Depew Fire Chief Scott Wegst.

The gift is a 1959 model cab-over Mack fire engine that is meant to be used as a structure fire unit.  

"It’s got jump-seats behind the cab for two firefighters and regular seats for the driver and one more in the cab. It’s got a tank that has room for about 500 gallons of water and pumps that still work," Craighead said.

The Engine that Could began its life in 1959 at St. John’s Parish, Louisiana. In 1999 it was then gifted from St. John’s Parish to an Ascension Parish Fire Department When St. John’s purchased a new fire engine.

The new addition includes expanded living quarters for firefighters; a locker room; storage areas for equipment; a kitchen; a day room; a fitness area; a new ambulance bay; and a small museum packed with department memorabilia.

The existing fire station was renovated into office space with conference rooms, a large classroom and testing center for firefighters, an office for the Center Township Trustee and a substation for Greenfield Police Department officers.

But some county commissioners said they had problems with the purchase because it would require spending up to $1.2 million in additional tax money to clean up soils contaminated with agricultural chemicals.