Some firefighters in Miami recently have been raising funds in an attempt to restore a 1949 Seagrave pumper. The 1949 Seagraves were equipped with 600-gallons-per-minute, front-mounted pumps and a 250- to 1,000-gallon water tank.
It’s been estimated the total restoration project will take around $15,000 to complete.
The ’49 model was bought new by the city. After life on the front line as well as a reserve, the pumper was sold at auction. It landed in Adair and was eventually sold back to Miami for the low price of $1 around 2014/2015.
Read more about the fundraising and the vintage apparatus.
(MIAMI,OK) It’s hard to say how many lives were saved by firefighters who manned Miami’s 1949 Seagrave Pumper No. 6 Fire Truck. Now Miami Firefighters and friends are working to save the 73-year-old antique firetruck and restore it for use by the department for parades and other events.
A big Smoked Chicken/Pulled Pork Lunch ‘Save the Seagrave’ fundraiser is scheduled for April 20 from 11.am to 1 p.m. at the Miami Civic Center at 129 5th Avenue NW in Miami. Tickets are $10 a plate for a delicious lunch of smoked chicken or pulled pork, with two choice sides of coleslaw, baked beans, or potato salad a drink and dessert.
Tickets are available at the door or for purchase now at the North Miami Fire Station located at 103 Goodrich Blvd. or the City of Miami Utility Customers Service windows at City Hall in Miami. Delivery orders must be placed by April 18 and can be made by calling Amy Bass at 918-541-2291.
The fundraiser is truly a community effort. Miami Firefighters will be smoking and cooking the meal and Miami High School volunteers and City of Miami staff will help serve lunch.
The 1949 Seagrave Firetruck will be on display in the Civic Center parking lot during the event.
An online Facebook auction beginning April 13 and ending April 22 at 5 p.m., is also underway to raise funds for the firetruck project and can be found at Miami Firefighter Fundraiser ‘Save The Seagrave ‘Facebook page. Many items are available to bid on including various Branson show and museum tickets, gift cards from local restaurants, signed photos and footballs from Heisman Trophy winner and Miami’s own Steve Owens, autographed guitars from Country music legend Hank Williams Jr. and Mark Wills, all donated by Jerry Coach.
It’s been estimated the total firetruck restoration project will take around $15,000 to complete.
The ’49 model was bought brand new by the City of Miami. After making hundreds of runs in the line of duty, and eventually as a reserve truck, the well-used pumper was sold as surplus in an auction. The firetruck landed in Adair and after the town upgraded their equipment, the firetruck was sold back to the City of Miami firefighters a for a whopping sum of one dollar sometime in 2014/2015 while Ronnie Cline was then fire chief. As a new Miami firefighter in 1989, Cline used to polish the Seagrave and the firefighter bought the vehicle for sentimental reasons.
Since its return home to Miami, the truck has been stored away and now sits at the South Miami Fire Station. Carrying on Cline’s dream, Miami Firefighters want to refurbish the old firetruck so it can be used for public education and parades.
Seagrave was the oldest manufacturer of fire apparatus in the U.S. The body of the Miami firetruck is in surprisingly good condition, according to Miami firefighters, but to get the truck back into shape will take lots of hard work. A new chassis, mechanical work as well as some cosmetic work are needed to make the old truck drivable and shiny. That’s where the community can help, Fire Chief Robert Wright said.
The 1949 Seagrave models were equipped with 600 gallon a minute front mounted pumps and a 250- to 1,000-gallon water tank.
Retired firefighter Gary Reynolds, who was with the department from 1962 to 1995 says there aren’t many firefighters left who rode the ’49 Seagrave.
Miami Fire Chief Wright said new firetrucks have an average use span of 10 or more years and it’s a testament of how well made the Seagrave model was manufactured.
Efforts to support the project have come from many donors and volunteers. Coach gathered most of the donations for the event from various vendors such as Nick Hofschulte who donated a whole hog which M and M Processing is processing for free, chicken was donated by Tyson and Simmons, Head Country donated BBQ rub and sauce, sides were donated by the Miami Walmart, and dessert cakes by Little Debbie in Gentry. Lemonade was donated by Refresco of Joplin and utensils and cups were supplied by the Miami Pizza Hut.
“We want to thank all the donors and volunteers who pulled this fundraiser together. The support of the community has been amazing to our firefighters,” Wright said. “We hope the Seagrave is shined up and running for many more years.”
The firefighters are also selling navy t-shirts with the Seagrave Firetruck depicted to raise funds for the project by pre-order only. Short sleeve shirts are $14, and long sleeve shirts are $18, plus $2 for 2X, $3 for 3X, and $4 for 4X sizes. Orders must be placed by April 30th and can be made by calling Amy Bass at 918-541-2291.
