Senior Firefighter David Mills, a current member of the Hickory Fire Department, and his father, George, have purchased three fire trucks from the City of Hickory; a 1919 American LaFrance Type 75 triple, a 1924 American LaFrance Type 75 triple, and a 1924 American LaFrance Type 14-6 combination service ladder. 

The two plan to restore the antique engines and drive them in local parades and shows and allow the community to enjoy this unique part of Hickory’s history.

George Mills, former Chief of Bay Leaf Volunteer Fire Department, spent a large part of his life as a volunteer fireman. He instilled the love of community service into his son, who from an early age wanted to be a firefighter as well, and went on to begin his volunteer fire service at the age of 16. 

Packed tightly in a warehouse set up by the authorities, the emergency vehicles - some 100 years old - were meant to have eventually been rehoused in a museum but the plans fell through.

Fire departments across the country tried, and failed, to raise funds in the 1990s to restore the dozens of retired engines.

As a result, the vehicles wound up in this secret location in rural France: a fire engine 'graveyard'. 

As part of the dedication, firefighters placed their hands on the new engine as South Emerson Church of God Pastor Paul Kirby said a prayer. The new engine was then sprayed down with water from the to-be-retired fire engine. Firefighters then pushed the new engine into the station, getting it ready to go out and serve the community.

“It’s going to be a fine truck for the citizens of Beech Grove,” said Brian Butler, engineer. “It will be a nice, safe truck for our firefighters on the job. Safety is something we took number one priority in. We’re happy that Smeal and Hoosier Fire came together to build such a nice engine for us.”

A committee consisting of Beech Grove firefighters Butler, Michael Boone and Brent Henady worked for the past two years to design a fire engine. The firemen listened to the ideas of everyone on their shifts, working together to create the safest, most efficient truck possible within the given budget. The estimated value is $389,000.00 and is paid in full.

A disciplinary report said the lieutenant and his engineer failed to tell their boss when the only fire truck at the station broke down.

The report said it was a leak in the engine, and the lieutenant mentioned it to maintenance, but chose not to stay awake to show them the problem.

Lt. Erik Quarterman and the engineer, Robert Battle, received written reprimands.

Records show that on May 13, Quarterman reported a leak on engine 43, but he went to bed before finding out the status of the truck.

Battle’s disciplinary form shows he too went to bed instead of waiting on maintenance to finish checking out the truck.

Maintenance eventually reported the truck as “out of service” to dispatch.