The fire engine was retired from active service in 1954 but kept on as a reserve engine.  It's last know use as a pumper was during the Huntsville flood of March 1973 when it was used to pump water out of the Huntsville Utilities building for two days. 

In 1999 the fire engine took part in it's first modern day Huntsville parade.  It has since been restored and continues to take part in Huntsville's parades and today demonstrated that it still has what it takes to be a pumper engine. 

It’s taken a few years, but the historical society, along with the Town of Florence and Florence Volunteer Fire Department, will show off the newly restored 1917-1918 fire truck at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Encore on Central in Florence.

The town acquired the Ford truck in 1917. But as it was replaced by more modern models, the 1917 truck went into storage.

According to the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, volunteer firefighter Ronda Varnado, 54, was driving a fully-loaded water truck to the scene of a house fire when she was involved in a wreck. Officials said the truck tipped over, sliding several yards before hitting an embankment. That’s when officials said the water tank came loose and crashed into the track cab killing Vanardo.