PARTNERSHIPS CREATING A “DREAM TO REALITY”

From its humble beginnings as a red, 1948 Chevy grain truck purchased by a local farmer, later donated to the Morocco Volunteer Fire Department in Beaver Township, Indiana, this vehicle was in the throws of making history. The fire department sent the truck to Minnesota to be refurbished to that of a bona fide fire engine and painted white. Then again in 1976, it was painted lime green purportedly for reasons of “safety in response,” where it remained in first line service until 1986.  In 1990 the engine was finally retired, and so the dream to resurrect an historic piece of equipment to its full potential of protecting lives and property through public education and prevention was in full swing.

A young lad of 15, who lived in nearby Morocco, became interested in the fire service and began looking for ways to serve. In God’s mysterious ways, he was shown the way when a call for help resulted in no driver being available to respond for the call. So guess who rose to the challenge? His name is Bill Miller and he currently serves as Director of Mohn’s Funeral Home. When he learned the truck was to be sold, he rushed back to Morocco and convinced them to sell it to him. The task then was how to get it back to Florida. Wow! It took him two and a half days to drive the truck back to Seminole at 35 miles per hour!

Since purchasing this vintage piece of history, Bill has made it an integral part of the Kiwanis Club of Seminole’s major events where, for the past 17 years, he has served in all positions of this renowned organization.

Now in 2003, this former grain truck, former Morocco fire engine has taken residence once again in the fire service at Pinellas Suncoast Fire & Rescue’s Station 27, thanks to the Miller family for their undying love for this vehicle and its history.

So here we are, seeking to find a way to make the engine live again; projecting its image, telling its story and spreading the words of “fire safety.” The project was overwhelming until the dream team came together in a unified manner, each doing their part to help preserve a memory, creating the dream of what it could be, and the reality of pride in an accomplishment of everlasting beauty.

The partners –

The entire Miller family and friends
The Pinellas Suncoast Fire and Rescue District’s personnel, FF/EMT’s James Fehl, James Norberg, David McConnell and Lt. Surface and especially our mechanic Dan Hugar  
The members of MAACO, owner Jim Bardascini
The members of A-1 Auto CERAMACOAT, owner Arden Ford
The members of Classic Chrome, Inc., owner Todd Buhnerkemper

We thank each and all who made the dream a reality, and will continue to share it with both young and old, and all those who love the past.

John R. Leahy, Jr.

Fire Chief

Before

After!!