The Seneca (KS) Volunteer Fire Department have planned a day-long celebration to mark the 100th birthday of its prized 1922 Model K Baby Stutz fire engine, according to a report published by Hiawatha World Online.

According to the report, The Baby Stutz is one of only two known left in existence and was bought new by the City of Seneca and been owned by the city ever since. The apparatus was restored in 1976 for the nation’s bicentennial celebration, but is in need of a refreshing with repairs to the fuel tank, new tires, paint and some gaskets for the engines.

The Stutz, as it is commonly called in Seneca, was purchased in March of 1922 by the City of Seneca and has been owned by the city ever since. The Stutz Motor Company produced 23 Model K fire engines between 1922 and 1928, to the knowledge of the Seneca Volunteer Fire Department Seneca’s Stutz is one of two left in existence. Restored once before in time for the 1976 bicentennial the Stutz is once again in need of repairs and restorations. A new fuel tank, tires, and radiator are needed along with updating the paint job, re-gasketing the engine, fixing the spokes on the wooden wheels, and other crucial repairs. Thus the observance of the Stutz’s 100th year will not only be a celebration but also an opportunity to raise the needed funds to perform these restorations. Much of the proceeds from the event will be used for the work according to the paper.

According to the report the event begins with a fire truck show starting a 9 am, a parade at 5 pm, a pipe and drum concert at 6 pm with a by-donation dinner and capped off with a classis rock concert from 7 to 11.

The Rutland (VT) Town Fire Department is expecting to put its new fire truck in service within the next couple of weeks after all the equipment has been mounted and loaded and sufficient training has been completed, according to report published by the Rutland Herald.

Rutland selectboard members voice some questions about whether the apparatus had been completed to the department’s satisfaction as the town was about to make a final payment on the vehicle, according to the report, which added the board didn’t want to lose any leverage it might have if the truck was not 100 percent satisfactory.

The board said they had no specific reasons to ask the questions other than shortly after the Center Rutland Fire Station had been built and final payments were made, issues were discovered that had to be resolved in court, according to the report.

The fire chief told the board the $675,000 apparatus, built by Rosenbauer has been put through its paces and he and the firefighters were satisfied with the rig, according to the report, which added it is designed to fill many needs of the department over the next 30 years.

Additionally, the department bought extra warranties and guarantees to protect the investment, according to the report.

Spencer—Fort Gratiot (MI) Fire Department pumper/tanker. Ford F-650 cab and chassis; PowerStroke 6.7L 4V F-series 300-hp engine; Hale DSD 1,250-gpm pump; APR polypropylene 427-gallon water tank; 20-gallon foam cell; Hale SmartFoam 2.1A Class A foam system. Dealer: Spencer Manufacturing, South Haven, MI.

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According to a report from Journal Star, despite a revision to a purchase agreement for property in Pekin, Illinois, will not affect the completion date of a new fire station that will be built at 1104 Sheridan Road.

Pekin Fire Department (PFD) Chief Trent Reeise said he expects the station’s bidding process on Sheridan Road, at the corner of Broadway Street and Ironwood Drive, will begin this fall, with a groundbreaking taking place next spring. Both new stations could be operational by the spring of 2024.

Pekin City Attorney Kate Swise said the town’s council approved the purchase of the Sheridan Road property in March for $475,000 plus exchange and lease-back of property at 1000 14th Street in Pekin from property owner David Milam.

Under July’s revised agreement, the total purchase price was for $657,000, which includes a $200,000 deferred purchase price secured by a mortgage on the Sheridan Road property. It will be repaid through the conveyance to Milam of the 14th Street property.

Reeise also said the 14th Street station will be decommissioned after the Sheridan Road station becomes operational. Although a site has not yet been determined, the city is now planning to add a fourth station on the south end of town. Reeise said the fire station project was long overdue, with PFD’s two current stations being built in 1962 and the third, at 3232 Court Street, built in 1976.