(Pictured Above: The Retrieval Crew (L-R) Don Washam, Chris Thompson, Tom Carey, Larry Pratt, David Pratt.)
On July 6th 1949, the City of Kearney, purchased from Kenneth Dagley, 1935 Ford Fire truck, hose and battery for $1806.40 Camcone fog nozzle purchased from Cam Mfg. For $48.98. Siren, buckets and hose purchased from Mr. E.R. Hawkins for $210. U. A. Pratt authorized to proceed with building of station. For a total of $2065.38.
In 2003 the City’s first motorized fire truck was found in a junk yard in Liberty. With the combined efforts of Police Chief Tom Carey and Asst. Fire Chief Don Washam the truck was purchased and brought back to Kearney and dubbed “Old Red”.
Since it has been brought it has been going through a refurbishing. Most of the work has been done in the free time of Tom Carey, Don Washam and David Pratt. The hope is to have “Old Red” refurbished and operational by the City of Kearney’s Sesquicentennial Celebration.
A fund has been established for the restoration efforts at Kearney Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 341, Kearney, MO 64060 which is a 501C3 charitable entity.
The truck when it got to the Fire Station:
Refurbished Frame:
