Once the foundation had taken possession of the fire engine, board member Ryan Abell, an East County firefighter-paramedic for eight years, began overseeing the restoration project. His first request for fundraising assistance went out around East County about two years ago.
These restoration efforts have been underway with significant episodic progress for almost two years. An exact replica motor arrived in November 2015, and Abell began serious community outreach requesting donations of money and labor for the project. Donors did step forward, and mechanics with skills in classic vehicle restoration volunteered their time and talents as well.