"This new 2016 upgrade is replacing a 1982 Ford that was originally built by another fire department. The older truck served us well but it was time for it to retire," Telico Fire Chief Van Fowler said in a Forrest Service press release. "The new large brush truck will be a multipurpose vehicle. It has updated equipment that will save us time and give the department a better option when protecting our community as well as mutual aid response."

The ballot issue seeks to establish a fire protection district supported by a property tax at a rate not to exceed 30 cents per $100 of assessed valuation for Palmyra R-1 School District residents. The 121-year old Palmyra Fire Department covers an area of about 200 square miles, and currently receives membership dues from about one-third of residents in the area — along with four percent of the city budget — to account for an annual department budget of about $102,500. Crane said a new fire protection district would help replace out-of-compliance equipment — like the pumper, brush and rescue trucks the volunteer firefighters depend on with every call.

In 1949, the Rural Association was formed so a fire truck would operate outside of Palmyra's city limits. If the ballot issue passes, city and rural operations would be together under the new district, inspiring Crane's motto for the issue: "Let's make them one."

In addition to that claim to fame, the vehicle is locally important because it was used in the fire department's response to the 1978 collapse of the Connor Hotel, where three men were trapped and one was extricated alive.

Battalion Chief Doug Nolan is one of those working to get the truck running again. The city bought it in 1939 and used it until 1991. "It's been in the fire department and city's possession since that time. Fortunately, the city kept the vehicle. We're hoping to put it back in service for parade use or education from what was state of the art in 1939 to what is state of the art now and keep some of that history alive."