Easton Fire Restores Antique Fire Truck 'Smokey'

EASTON, MA — The Easton Fire Department is eager to show off its newly restored antique fire pumper truck.

The 1935 Ford pumper truck, which was used as a brush truck in the 1970s and as an attraction for schools and parades, is named "Smokey."

Lt. Jason Healey saw the engine in Easton Fire Station 1 and came up with the idea to restore the vehicle. Easton resident Chuck Hurley and Easton Fire Capt. Larry Blye assisted in the project.

"It's great to see a unique piece of Easton Fire Department history restored and we're looking forward to showing it off at community events in the future," Chief Partridge said. "We greatly appreciate Chuck Hurley who spent many hours assisting in the restoration. Lt. Healey also did an excellent job organizing the project, and both he and Capt. Blye also gave a lot of their time to the restoration. We're proud to have the engine back in working order."

Easton fire said they began by fixing the engine's broken fuel pump at Hurley's business, Scoreboard Enterprises in Mansfield. After repairing the fuel pump, the truck ran once again.

The trio also restored the wood on the sides, along with several other parts of the truck, beginning in February with the project completed at the end of June.

The trio maintained social distancing during the part of the project that took place during the coronavirus health crisis, while wearing masks and gloves.

The department plans to keep the engine well-maintained and stored at Easton Fire Station 1 on Lothrop Street. It will be used in parades, at department events and for school visits and other fire safety education events.