Firefighters with the Calera (OK) Fire Department are working to restore a retired rescue truck, known as “The Spirit of Oklahoma,” that was donated to the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) after the 9-11 attacks destroyed apparatus, according to a report published by Fox 23.
The Calera firefighters are restoring the apparatus to become a memorial fire truck to honor first responders who died in the attacks, the television station reported.
FDNY lost two rescue trucks during the 2001 attacks and former Oklahoma City Fire Chief John Hansen decided to build a new truck to donate to New York City, the television station reported. Oklahoma school students raised about 80 percent of the funds to buy the new truck which was in service by May 2002, Fox23 reported.
After years of service in the city, the apparatus met the mandatory retirement age and its days of serving New York City were done, the station reported, adding that the truck was auctioned off and traded hands a couple of times before the Calera firefighters decided to contact the last owner with the intent of buying it.
Once the deal was sealed, the truck was transported back to Oklahoma and is now undergoing restoration in Calera, the television station reported, adding that once it is completed, it will be displayed at the Tulsa Fire Museum where it will be come a centerpiece displayed in a glass structure.
