Former Elgin fire engine is going to Chile

The Courier-News has a story about a retired Elgin fire engine being donated to a fire department in Chile, a city that shares a sister-city relationship with Elgin. The vehicle has been sitting on John Tobin’s driveway in West Dundee since October, but it's now getting ready for a new life across the ocean. Tobin, a long-time seller of fire apparatus, is working on restoring the 1996 Seagrave, which last served at Station 5 on Villa Street until 2012. Originally purchased by Elgin for $228,000, the truck would cost significantly more to fully restore. Tobin has already made several key upgrades, including re-strapping the fuel tank, adding “Cauquenes” stencils to the cab, replacing the pump shift and gauges, and even installing a bell. Elgin Fire Lieutenant Bob Bedard says the truck is still in decent shape and will be a valuable asset for the Cauquenes fire department, where most units are just pickup trucks equipped with basic pumps. The truck came into Bedard’s hands after the city acquired a new ladder truck. As part of the deal, the city received $10,000 to trade in the old engine, and representatives from the company agreed to donate it to the Sister Cities initiative. This isn't the first time Elgin firefighters have shared resources with their Chilean counterparts. In February 2011, a group of Elgin firefighters traveled to Rancagua as part of a goodwill mission, helping train local public safety workers on used firefighting and rescue equipment from Elgin, South Elgin, Hampshire, and Pingree Grove departments. In January 2013, Elgin sent a shipment of outdated but functional equipment to Cauquenes, including fire hoses, turnout gear, helmets, boots, nozzles, electronics, and even a fire engine. The Chileans covered the shipping costs. To get the engine to Chile, Bedard had to raise $20,000, with no city funds used for the effort. Bedard also mentioned that the Chilean firefighters are eager to learn more about techniques like building shoring and rope work, as well as extrication methods. With limited access to used cars for training, these skills are especially valuable for them. This donation represents not just a transfer of equipment, but a meaningful exchange of knowledge and support between communities across the globe.

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