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Posted: February 2, 2005
It looked like the end of the road for Engine 189. Activated in 1982 and retired from active and reserve service in 1997, the 1982 American La France sat in open storage at the City’s Parkway Service Center, a rusting reminder of the City’s growth and new technology.
Faded paint spotted with rust, rotted upholstery, shattered equipment gauges and a motor in need of more than a tune-up, all signaled the end to a fire engine that had provided public safety services to the Plano community at the height of an explosion of growth and prosperity.
While in service, Engine 189 had seen Plano grow from a population of 83,000 to over 194,000. Fire stations had grown in numbers from four to eight, with Fire personnel rising from 100 to over 200. Fire and EMS calls had grown from 2,000 per year to over 12,000 per year.
As new equipment and engines were incorporated into Plano’s Fire fleet, Engine 189 slowly climbed down the ladder of usefulness, until, in 1997, it was retired and sent into storage. A sister engine had already been sold to a small rural fire department.
As the new millennium dawned, so did the effort to resuscitate Engine 189. Enter the Plano Fire Rescue Associates (PFRA), an organization founded in 1995 for the purpose of supporting the Plano Fire Department.
“The major reason we took on this project is that we wanted something we could use in parades, education and civic events,” said PFRA President Marcia Hurst. “The motor was in extremely good mechanical condition, but the physical condition was horrible. Once we had refined our requirements, we went out for bid and selected a local contractor.”
Through fundraisers ranging from passing the hat at PFRA meetings to appearances at community events, PFRA began the hard work of raising the funds for the engine’s restoration. Beginning with $6,000, they ended up needing over $39,000 to complete the restoration. With generous donations in hand from private individuals and businesses, it was Local 2149, International Association of Firefighters, who provided the funds that secured the restoration.
“It took about six months of hands-on work to complete the project,” said Ms. Hurst. “While there are other things we might be able to add, at this point in time we consider this project complete.”
The newly restored engine was unveiled at a ceremony at Plano’s Fire Station #1, 1901 Avenue K, January 29, 2005. In a proclamation read in honor of the engine and PFRA restoration efforts, Mayor Pat Evans thanked the PFRA for bringing the engine back to life through such a wonderful example of spirit and teamwork.
Said Plano Fire Chief Bill Peterson, “On behalf of everyone in the Plano Fire Department, who protect and serve Plano citizens on a daily basis, we thank our donors and sponsors and particularly the Plano Fire Rescue Associates for this wonderful gift to the community.”
The 1982 American La France Engine 189 will represent the Fire Department in parades, participate in civic educational and training projects, and participate in neighborhood/civic events. It is also retrofitted to assist in ceremonial burial transportation for firefighters. Engine 189 will have a permanent home at Fire Station #10, 3540 McDermott.
For restoration photographs, click here.
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