In 1928, the Grapevine Fire Department introduced a new Model A Ford. Although long retired, the truck is still the pride of the fire department and is seen throughout the year at special occasions such as the city's annual Main Street Christmas Parade, Breakfast with Santa fundraiser, fire open houses and neighborhood events.
But time has taken its toll and the truck is badly in need of mechanical and body repairs.
So fire department fans started raising funds several years ago to Save the ’28, with a goal of $10,000.
“It’s going to fix the fire engine which is really dinged up and needs a new engine,” said Kathleen Thompson, a board member of the Grapevine Citizens’ Fire Academy Alumni.
At a fundraising dinner Friday night, they were told they met their goal.
“We made our goal of $10,000, thanks to dozens of generous donors and event attendees,” Thompson said. “Some wrote large checks. Some elementary school children donated allowance money. And we are grateful for every dollar.”
Outback Steakhouse catered the steak/chicken dinner with two dinner seatings at Fire Station One at 601 Boyd Drive.
Thompson said the restoration efforts are rewarding because the truck is “part of Grapevine heritage.”
When the 1928 Model A Ford was purchased, the only fire station was downtown. The town probably had about 35 volunteer firefighters then.
Now there are five stations and 110 fire and administrative personnel, Deputy Fire Chief Mark Ashmead said.
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Posted: Oct 26, 2016
On Tuesday, the St. Paul Fire Department announced a new device that will prevent fire trucks from backing over and killing someone. St. Paul Fire Captain Jovan Palmieri invented a device, Backsafe System, after the death of 79-year-old Margaret Kuehn.
Kuehn was killed in 2009 when a St. Paul ambulance was backing down an alley. She walked into the path and was backed over.
Her family members were present Tuesday knowing that much of the inspiration for the technology came from her death.
“You know the loss of my mom was devastating to our family,” said Lisa Kline, Margaret Kuehn’s daughter. “I also recognize how hard it is for the firehouse and whole department and I’m just very happy to hear that they’re embracing this technology and their going to get it installed and hopefully prevent this from happening in the future.”
The first Backsafe System is being donated and installed on Medic 19, the same unit that hit and killed Kuehn.
Fire Chief Tim Butler hopes to have it installed on all 70 city rigs within the next three years.
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