"Within moments, it began to catch fire," he said. "An EMS supervisor was there and he called the fire department. They responded quickly and extinguished the fire as quickly as they could."

Fire departments from Cedar Falls, Dike, Janesville, New Hartford, Parkersburg, Reinbeck, Shell Rock and Waverly will bring fire trucks. A 1926 model from Fairbank will be displayed, as well as trucks from the 1940s through the 1960s, including Cedar Falls’ modern ladder truck.

Steven Martin, 55 of rural Highland was the driving southbound at highway speeds when Divall attempted to signal him to stop with a lighted traffic wand.

Dave Stevens, president of the Cooper Museum reassured the council that the fire engine will remain available for the public.

Members of the Upland Fire Foundation have expressed their desire to be able look at the finances of the museum to ensure its funds are earmarked for repairs and maintenance of the engine, Stevens said.

The purchases will be made using reallocated funds from this year’s general purpose budget, a decision which will likely prove to be beneficial to the county as it prepares for the 2017-18 fiscal year.

“It is going to help us out because next year’s budget is going to give us more flexibility to do things like provide funds for the schools and work on new bridges,” Commission Chairman Michael Fulbright said, following the Thursday meeting. “It just frees us up of other things and still provides the firetrucks that are needed.”