|
In 1972, the Spring Volunteer
Fire Department saw the need to establish Spring
Fire Station #3 in the Ponderosa Subdivision. A
small group of very dedicated individuals formed
the Ponderosa VFD and proceeded to acquire their
first fire engine. The brand new fire engine
cost $23,726 plus $4,770 worth of equipment. We
had the opportunity to acquire our first fire
engine – Engine 5 – from the Octavia-Smithville
Volunteer Fire Department located in southeast
Oklahoma.
Engine 5 has a storied past, from its first run
from Old Town Spring to a large apartment fire
at 17,100 Rolling Creek followed by hundreds of
others. Ponderosa FD repainted her in the early
80’s and added a “modern” light bar and other
useful equipment. The Ponderosa FD sold good
ole’ Number 5 to the Glenn Heights Texas VFD in
the mid-80’s, and Number 5 served them well
until they sold it to Octavia-Smithville in
2001. Number 5 is still alive because we needed
her back home.
Engine 5 still runs great – yes, we drove it
home - with its gasoline (no emission controls)
V-8 motor, a manual 5 speed transmission, 1,000
gpm pump and 750 gallons of tank water. Yes, she
needs some tender loving care, but the 375 mile
drive back home went without a hitch. We hope to
clean her up, get her painted and work on the
wiring. After all, she is over 36 years old and
has fought many fires. Look for her in the
annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and other
places.
Sometimes there is a need to preserve our
history and Engine 5 is clearly one of the very
important beginnings of this great fire
department.
|
