A few years ago, several retired firefighters from the Tucson (Ariz.) Fire Department decided that they should open a fire museum. Unfortunately, a lack of both money and a building to house the museum prohibited the idea. However, the men were determined to find a memorable project to work on, so they decided to buy an old fire truck and convert it to a hearse that could be used for retired firefighters’ funerals.
The retirees formed the Last Alarm Foundation Inc., a non-profit foundation that would fund their project and allow the Tucson community to express its appreciation for retired heroes at the same time. Assisting the retirees in this project is Daniel Matlick, development director for the foundation and president of United Fire, a safety equipment distributor in Tucson.
“Since it’s prohibitive to take an active fire truck out of service for funerals, having a designated and restored fire truck available would allow firefighters who did not die in the line of duty to have an honorable funeral,” Matlick said. “Those are frequently the last wishes that we are trying so hard to fulfill.”
After some negotiating, the retirees bought a 1954 Mack L model fire truck for $1,200. They removed the truck’s hosebed and designed a 32-inch lift on which a casket could be placed and raised.
“We have got to get it working really good because when you’re in a funeral parade, it can’t break down,” said Ed Montano, one of the project’s founders. “We got a bid to put in a new engine, drive-train [and] differential, and then we got another company that will do the painting for us.”
According to Montano, there are many retired firefighters from New York, Chicago and other parts of the country who now live in the Tucson area. These men and women could get an honorable burial using the fire truck hearse.
“We work on the truck two days a week, from 8 to 12, so it’s a slow process. When we’re done it will be worth $150,000,” said Montano, laughing. “Most of the time we spend time talking old war stories because we’re all retired firefighters.”
For more information about the foundation and the fire truck hearse project, go to www.lastalarmfoundation.com or call 520.444.6388.
August 17th, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
I would love to see a photo of the hearse fire truck.
August 17th, 2007 @ 8:13 pm
[…] * Fire Chief has an interesting column about a group of retired firefighters in Tucson who have purchased a 1954 Mack L-model fire engine and converted it into a specialty hearse. They took the hosebed out and fixed a lift to move a casket into the rear. Tucson is a retirement destination and they have retired FF’s from all over the country living out their last years there. They are doing this so those FF’s can have an honorable burial. Read the story HERE. […]
August 18th, 2007 @ 8:19 am
This is an excellent undertaking and wish the guys in Tucson well!
August 18th, 2007 @ 8:37 pm
This is a wonderful project. The Last Alarm Foundation has filled an important void. However it is sad that those relatively few families who request an engine to transport a retired member of the the department to the cemetery can’t be accomodated. Here in Delaware we always find a way to fullfill a member’s or a family’s last wish. It is the least we can do after a lifetime of public service.
August 19th, 2007 @ 7:17 pm
As soon as the fire truck hearse is finished, we’ve been promised a photo!!
janet
August 19th, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
That is a wonderful idea!
Thought…..Maybe, with enough fire folks, this could become a national project with fire truck hearses located in startegic areas?
A Firefighter from Weymouth, Massachusetts FD developed a business called, “A Fire Truck For All Occasions.” He bought an old engine (now has two) and uses them for parties and other events.
RMW
August 20th, 2007 @ 12:44 pm
What a great way to remember forgotten Heroes.
August 21st, 2007 @ 11:28 am
I am an active firefighter (38 years) living and working in Tucson. I retired from the Tucson Fire Department and currently work for the Northwest Fire District just north of Tucson. I’ve donated a few bucks toward the restoration of this truck, but they need quite a bit more money to complete this task. If you really want to help this cause, send a check. That’s what it will take to finish the job! Go to their Web site at www.lastalarmfoundation.com/lastalarm/ and view the video. Pictures of the truck are in the video. Also, information on how you can help is on the Web site.