Through the work and generosity of the Kiel Lions Club and other Lions throughout the district--along with the Kiel Fire Department--another fire truck has been donated to Mexico.

Bernard "Pat" Knier, missions coordinator for the Kiel Lions Club, said the club purchased the 1984 pumper from the KFD for $5,000. Kiel Fire Chief Bob Hennings said the funds will be used to purchase equipment to outfit the new 1,500 gallon per minute (gpm) pumper scheduled to arrive in September.

"Our number one goal is to keep community members, guests and our neighbors safe," said Greg Hayes, director of Mdewakanton Public Safety, the tribe's full-time professional fire and ambulance service. The department will put the truck to use immediately.

Over the years—with the help of Southampton resident Henry Austin Clark, a car collector and the founder of the now-defunct Long Island Automotive Museum, which had been located on County Road 39 near the intersection with Sandy Hollow Road in Southampton—the fire department rehabilitated and restored the truck while keeping it as close as possible to its condition when it first rolled into the village.

The 5-foot high and 6-foot long truck is all handmade using mainly fiberglass for the frame. They worked off photos of a real Lewisville fire truck and engine and a toy fire truck. They said building things is a hobby for them.

"It's unfortunate and I hate that money was spent on it, but it is an expensive Band-Aid truck. We run it for EMS calls and it's not a truck I personally feel comfortable sending out to a fire first, it would be one of the last trucks to show up at a fire."

Alderman Ron Elders said he was sitting on the council when it was discussed and bought before Barton was chief. He said at the time it was brought up, he wondered how it would fit down the streets because it was so big.