For decades, Anderson said, Engine 2 helped keep the citizens of Martinsville safe. Now that it has been brought back to life, that goal remains the same, although it won’t be spotted at the scenes of any fires. Instead, it will be used as an educational tool.

Area residents might have spotted Engine 2 at Oktoberfest last Saturday, or they might have seen it at MHC Public Safety Day in uptown Martinsville on Sept. 28. Wherever it goes, Anderson said, it draws a crowd both young and old.

At MHC Public Safety Day, Anderson said, “the kids loved it. I heard that bell ring so many times, my head’s still ringing. The interest around the station and from the public has just been overwhelming, and that’s a good thing.”

While people are checking out the fire engine, Anderson said, it presents an opportunity for the department to talk to them about fire safety, teach them what fire fighters do, and ask if they have checked their smoke alarms recently.

“We try to take advantage of any tool we have that catches people’s attention,” he said.

The 1934 American LaFrance is definitely an attention-grabber, and an example of how much fire fighting technology has changed over the 82 years since it was built.

There is no set timeline for how long the construction will take. The work is being done by Nassau County-based Fratello Construction Corp., which has rebuilt FDNY firehouses in the past.

During the time the repairs are taking place, firefighters from Engine 293, and their equipment. will be based out of Engine 294 “for temporary quarters,” the FDNY spokesman said. Engine 294, which provides services to parts of Woodhaven and Richmond Hill, is located at 101-02 Jamaica Ave., roughly a four-minute drive from Engine 293.

Both firehouses were slated for closure under Mayor Bloomberg 10 years ago as part of his proposal for cost-cutting measures, but were saved after the communities expressed outrage at the idea.

The "new" truck is actually a demo model. Before being delivered the unit will be recertified. Going the demo route saved the city about $130,000 over buying a newly manufactured unit, Brown said.

The new truck will replace Truck 14, which will roll over to reserve status. Truck 14 is a 20-year-old aerial platform able to extend 95 feet. When the city bought the truck, it wasn't without controversy. There were questions among then city council members about the need for such a piece of equipment and the cost. In 1996 the truck cost $600,000. Replacing it now with a newer model would set the city back about $1.2 million, the chief said.