Letters
Save our historic fire engine
Published on Thu, Jun 24, 2010 by Don OlsenRead More Letters
The city of Edmonds is about to give away a prized possession – a possession that was given to it back in 2004 and cannot ever be replaced.
The possession we are referring to is the historic ’38 former Edmonds fire engine, which had initially been Edmonds’ only fire engine and was in service until 1965.
When this popular part of Edmonds’ past became available to purchase in 2004, the Edmonds Fire Safety Foundation raised $12,000 through their fund raising efforts to purchase the fire engine and donate it to the City of Edmonds - back home where it belonged!
A plaque on the side of the fire engine denotes several individuals, businesses and service clubs who donated $500 each to help purchase it.
Since its purchase, its popularity at several events in Edmonds has grown steadily, particularly among our young children who have really “taken to it”. They love to sit in the cab, put on the little fireman’s hat – and “make believe.”
As they climb aboard their “big toy”, their eyes “light up” to match their beaming, happy grin.
Often times the children will stand in line to “board” the engine and, once seated in the cab, their parents would have to coax them out.
And the parents are equally thrilled to be able to take their children’s picture in this historic conversation piece – a picture that will be truly meaningful for years to come.
This fully restored ’38 fire engine has been displayed at several local events in Edmonds – the Fourth of July Parade, the Garden Market, the Summer Market, transporting Santa to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the Antique Car Show, the Edmonds Night Out, etc.
So – if this historic fire engine is so popular with young and old alike – why does the City of Edmonds plan to let it go?
Mayor Haakenson and the City Council have indicated that they don’t necessarily want to see it disappear. They understand its value to our citizens – a value that can only increase over the years.
But there are at least three reasons why they feel compelled to give the fire engine back to the Fire Safety Foundation
(1) Since our fire department was recently purchased by the Fire District #1, our city can no longer store the engine in Station #17.
(2) Because our firepersons are now part of Fire District #1, they are not allowed to drive the fire engine to and from the various events.
(3) The cost of maintaining and insuring the engine means yet another strain on our city’s budget.
First and foremost – a new place must be found to house the fire engine.
If a location in Edmonds is found – then, the City Council and the Fire Safety Foundation can decide who should retain jurisdiction over it to solve the remaining two problems.
Perhaps the Edmonds Historical Society could help solve some of these problems or even take over the ownership of the fire engine.
If you have any ideas or suggestions – please contact either the City Council or the Fire Safety Foundation through their web site,"http://www.EdmondsFireSafetyFoundation.org" www.EdmondsFireSafetyFoundation.org.
Like most problems there are generally viable solutions – if you really want to find them!
I
n the case of preserving this popular, historic fire engine – there must be some solutions that come to mind and perhaps others that haven’t even surfaced yet. Keep in mind the old saying, “Where there’s a will – there’s a way.”
Don Olsen
The possession we are referring to is the historic ’38 former Edmonds fire engine, which had initially been Edmonds’ only fire engine and was in service until 1965.
When this popular part of Edmonds’ past became available to purchase in 2004, the Edmonds Fire Safety Foundation raised $12,000 through their fund raising efforts to purchase the fire engine and donate it to the City of Edmonds - back home where it belonged!
A plaque on the side of the fire engine denotes several individuals, businesses and service clubs who donated $500 each to help purchase it.
Since its purchase, its popularity at several events in Edmonds has grown steadily, particularly among our young children who have really “taken to it”. They love to sit in the cab, put on the little fireman’s hat – and “make believe.”
As they climb aboard their “big toy”, their eyes “light up” to match their beaming, happy grin.
Often times the children will stand in line to “board” the engine and, once seated in the cab, their parents would have to coax them out.
And the parents are equally thrilled to be able to take their children’s picture in this historic conversation piece – a picture that will be truly meaningful for years to come.
This fully restored ’38 fire engine has been displayed at several local events in Edmonds – the Fourth of July Parade, the Garden Market, the Summer Market, transporting Santa to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, the Antique Car Show, the Edmonds Night Out, etc.
So – if this historic fire engine is so popular with young and old alike – why does the City of Edmonds plan to let it go?
Mayor Haakenson and the City Council have indicated that they don’t necessarily want to see it disappear. They understand its value to our citizens – a value that can only increase over the years.
But there are at least three reasons why they feel compelled to give the fire engine back to the Fire Safety Foundation
(1) Since our fire department was recently purchased by the Fire District #1, our city can no longer store the engine in Station #17.
(2) Because our firepersons are now part of Fire District #1, they are not allowed to drive the fire engine to and from the various events.
(3) The cost of maintaining and insuring the engine means yet another strain on our city’s budget.
First and foremost – a new place must be found to house the fire engine.
If a location in Edmonds is found – then, the City Council and the Fire Safety Foundation can decide who should retain jurisdiction over it to solve the remaining two problems.
Perhaps the Edmonds Historical Society could help solve some of these problems or even take over the ownership of the fire engine.
If you have any ideas or suggestions – please contact either the City Council or the Fire Safety Foundation through their web site,"http://www.EdmondsFireSafetyFoundation.org" www.EdmondsFireSafetyFoundation.org.
Like most problems there are generally viable solutions – if you really want to find them!
I
n the case of preserving this popular, historic fire engine – there must be some solutions that come to mind and perhaps others that haven’t even surfaced yet. Keep in mind the old saying, “Where there’s a will – there’s a way.”
Don Olsen