The current fire engine simply has “Columbia” painted on the front — a nod to the company’s roots, which trace back to the volunteer Columbia Fire Company, which was created in 1804. And the fire company’s history is intertwined with American history.

“During the War of 1812, when the British attacked the capital, they actually burned our first firehouse down first, before they started burning the capital down,” said veteran firefighter Margie Dickey, who’s spent her entire career at Engine 3. “So if you take the firehouse out of the picture you have more success with your other endeavors.”

“The volunteer firefighters begged the British not to burn the firehouse down because it didn’t belong to the government. It was privately owned,” Embrey added. “But the British said ‘Maybe so, but it’s on government property, so it’s gone.’”

Davis firefighters were on the scene of the traffic collision when that opened fire, killing a police officer. The firefighters said they could feel the bullets whizzing by them that night.

Acting fire chief Dennis Reilly showed the fire truck inside a City of Davis fleet garage. This fire truck serves as a symbol for the terrifying night that Davis will never forget. Because of the memories it brings back, Reilly said the firetruck will not be put back in service. They plan to retire it for good.