Pamela McLoughlin
Hartford Courant
(TNS)

There will soon be lots of shiny red toy fire trucks on sale for the holidays, but for those who want to go big and grand, there’s a real fire engine up for auction in Connecticut.

Friday is the deadline to bid online for a 1991 pumper truck owned by the town of Montville that requires a baseline bid of $5,000.

So far there are no takers, but bids often come in it at the last minute, said Greg Barry, CEO of Municibid, the company running the 24/7 online auction.

The used fire truck is likely too old to be certified to fight fires, but people around the country make use of the equipment in creative ways, Barry said .

They buy them for display, to add to collections, to use in parades and even repurpose them into recreational vehicles or campers, Barry said.

Farmers also use the trucks for watering from a pond on their property or by using a second truck in conjunction, he said. Sometimes people even ship the old trucks overseas where the certification standards are lower.

If the truck doesn’t sell, it’s up to Montville what the next move will be, Barry said. If the truck does sell, the town gets every penny and can spend it however they want. There is an extra 9 percent charge to pay Municibid.

Barry said there are lots of trucks and fire apparatus on the market now and low demand.

Here are the specs on the 1991 KME Spartan Engine truck: It has 38,848 miles and features a 350 HP Diesel Engine, automatic transmission, a 1000-gallon poly water tank, and 1,500 gallon per minute top mount pump. The fire truck seats six and also has updated LED emergency and scene lights, a booster reel with hose in the rear compartment, large diameter rear intake, and large diameter front bumper suction. It holds approximately 2000 feet of 5-inch hose and 800 feet of 3-inch hose in the bed.

The online auction is open to the public at Municibid.com and ends Friday, October 17. In this case, the truck has no title.

Barry said his company has auctioned off all kinds of interesting items owned by municipalities, including boats, airplanes, 1990s era arcade games, a diamond ring of more than 2 carats, wood carvings, a knights body armor.

©2025 Hartford Courant. Visit courant.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Robert Creenan
Niagara Gazette, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
(TNS)

Damon Robertson has always had an itch for restoring historic buildings.

In 1985, his parents bought the Barton Hill Mansion in Lewiston, restoring it over the course of 18 years. Their other efforts include a 1902 Victorian-era home and a 1846 Greek Revival Farmhouse in Wilson.

His latest project is tackling one of Niagara Falls’ still-remaining historic landmarks.

Since 2019, Robertson has worked to restore the old Engine #3 at 1019 Niagara Ave., the oldest such building in the city. Completed and commissioned in 1894 under the name Rapids Hose #3, it operated for 90 years until the city decommissioned it in 1984, with its work and the Highland Avenue firehouse’s moving to the new Fire Station #3 at 11th Street and Ontario Avenue.

The DiCamillos’ company then owned it for the following 35 years.

“Many years ago, I was driving through the city, taking a ride home from work, and happened upon this building boarded up,” Robertson said. “I thought it was beautiful.”

Robertson reached out to DiCamillo’s about acquiring it 10 years ago, but at first, they were not interested in selling. It was only after the roof developed leaks, resulting in water damage on the third floor, that they took Robertson’s offer seriously.

Having been built in 1894, this is the first firehouse created after the City of Niagara Falls was incorporated on March 17, 1892. It was also home to the first fire company, where its members were paid.

Roberston said he bought it because he wanted to save the building, with the City of Niagara Falls having a history of tearing down historic structures like this.

“Bringing history out of the dark and preserving the vessels that hold that history are key lessons for future generations to learn from,” Robertson said. “I believe it is from our history that we grasp the tools and knowledge to find our place in this world.”

The first outside funding this restoration received was a $50,000 Niagara County Facade Program matching grant in 2022, with another grant coming from the Niagara Falls Bridge District DRI Small Project Fund. Most of the funding comes from his small business Dragonfly Jams and Jellies, which is based in Youngstown and sells across the state.

Having started work in 2019, Robertson hired three different masons and a Canadian engineer to restore the brick structure. The west wall has been 90% restored, having deteriorated from the weather and a lack of a gutter spout. The ceiling was lowered by two feet in order to save it.

Robertson is using historic mortar to match the building’s original appearance, with decorative bricks being made for the front facade.

He wants to keep as much of the original structure as possible, like the original flooring, urinals, windows, and the current bay doors. Those date from when the building was modified to have its bell tower removed and bay doors changed to accommodate fire trucks rather than horse-drawn carriages.

“The majority of the character is still there,” Robertson said.

Robertson did not say when he expects this long-term project to be complete, as the building still needs electrical, plumbing, masonry, and sprinkler system work. He does plan on putting his Dragonfly Jams and Jellies operations there, with his jam kitchen and a cafe inside.

© 2025 the Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, N.Y.). Visit www.niagara-gazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The post Work Continues on Histo

In this episode of FEMSA Focus, David Durstine and Dave Russell, both on the joint FAMA/FEMSA Government Affairs Committee (GAC), provide an update on how the Government shutdown will impact programs like the AFG program and entities like the USFA and NFA. They both express the importance of engaging with your Congressional representatives and senators as well as provide ways firefighters can get involved and how to speak with one, unified voice.

Brought to you by our friends at Rescue Intellitech and The FireStore.

The post FEMSA Focus: What’s Happening in D.C.? appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.

Rochelle Park, NJ (October 13, 2025) – We’re proud to announce that our own Stephanie White is officially retiring from the field life and is devoting her time to Firefighter Nation full-time as Editor in Chief. Since coming aboard in April 2024, her leadership and editorial vision have driven remarkable platform growth and recruited a new generation of voices—a clear reflection of the quality and relevance she brings to our content.

Her transition marks a pivotal moment for the brand as we continue to deepen our commitment to our mission: to ignite firefighter wellness in all aspects of life, both in and out of the firehouse. With her firsthand experience and passion for the fire service, she brings a unique perspective that resonates with our audience and strengthens our purpose.

“We’re thrilled to welcome her full-time and celebrate this incredible milestone,” said Chief David Rhodes, Editor in Chief of Fire Engineering and Education Director of FDIC. “Her decades of service, leadership, and dedication to the fire community have shaped her into a powerful voice for firefighter wellness. We’re honored to have her guiding our editorial direction as we continue to grow and serve those who serve.”

“It’s bittersweet to come off of a rig, but I’m excited to step into this full-time role and continue building a space where firefighters can share their wisdom and experiences with each other.” said White. “From culture issues and injury prevention to mental health stories, our goal is to create a resource that helps firefighters find answers – through every stage of their career and beyond.”

Read more about this transition in her article, Off the Cuff: Coffee, Cold Mornings, and Farewell.

About Clarion Events Fire & Rescue Group

Through our industry-leading media, publications, education, and events Clarion’s Fire & Rescue Group covers the latest developments and standards in training, apparatus, and equipment for firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and those professionals serving in the Fire & EMS Industries. We at Clarion Fire & Rescue hold ourselves to the strictest of standards, ensuring that our service to the first responders equals the industry’s tireless service to us all while maintaining our long-standing mission to “Train and Inform the Fire & EMS Industry.”

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