Friends of Somerville Engine 5
Donation protected
The fire service prides itself on history and tradition. The Somerville Fire Dept. has always been one of the most recognizable and respected fire departments in the Northeast.
The City of Somerville purchased this American LaFrance pumper new in 1954, and it served the city of Somerville until it was declared surplus in 1994.
After months of research, I found the current owner in Minnesota. The current owner has had it for about 4 years and has agreed to sell it.
Engine 5 (later running as Somerville Fire Auxiliary Engine 9), was housed at the Lowell St Fire Station and fought some of the biggest fires in the city’s history. The current owner said the truck still ran when he bought it. He purchased it to do a restoration but hasn't had the time.
So here’s the plan: Buy the truck and have it shipped back, then form a committee to put together a restoration plan. This will take some time to fully complete, but getting it back to New England from Minnesota is the first step. The biggest cost will be shipping a 65 year old fire truck 1500 miles !
Many current and former FFs have shown interest in supporting this project and suggested a ‘GoFundMe’ page….. so here we go, with your help we can bring Engine 5 home !!
Please share this page with friends and family who are interested in the history of the Somerville Fire Dept.
The City of Somerville purchased this American LaFrance pumper new in 1954, and it served the city of Somerville until it was declared surplus in 1994.
After months of research, I found the current owner in Minnesota. The current owner has had it for about 4 years and has agreed to sell it.
Engine 5 (later running as Somerville Fire Auxiliary Engine 9), was housed at the Lowell St Fire Station and fought some of the biggest fires in the city’s history. The current owner said the truck still ran when he bought it. He purchased it to do a restoration but hasn't had the time.
So here’s the plan: Buy the truck and have it shipped back, then form a committee to put together a restoration plan. This will take some time to fully complete, but getting it back to New England from Minnesota is the first step. The biggest cost will be shipping a 65 year old fire truck 1500 miles !
Many current and former FFs have shown interest in supporting this project and suggested a ‘GoFundMe’ page….. so here we go, with your help we can bring Engine 5 home !!
Please share this page with friends and family who are interested in the history of the Somerville Fire Dept.
Organizer
Jay Keane
Organizer
Somerville, MA
