CTR helps Boise Fire Fighters Put 1976 Fire Engine to Good Use through sponsorship.

Boise Fire Fighters Put 1976 Fire Engine to Good Use

October 18, 2011 – A decommissioned 1976 American LaFrance fire has a new purpose -- Boise Local 149 and Boise State University will use the vehicle as a visual aide during public events.

The engine provided more than 30 years of public service to the citizens of Idaho before going out of service. It originally was purchased and used by the military as an airport fire fighting engine at Mountain Home Air Force Base. Later, the engine was donated to the Grand View Rural Fire Protection District.

When it was time for the engine to be taken off the streets, Local 149 member Kevin Gould immediately thought about the benefits of using it at public events, especially for charities, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Make a Wish Foundation and Local 149’s own Burnout Fund. The Fund assists Boise area families who have been burned out of their homes.

Additionally, as a way to increase visibility, Local 149 has an agreement with Boise State University to put the university’s logo on the engine and use it at student events as well.

The engine, decorated in the Broncos blue and orange, made one of its first appearances at Boise State University's first home scrimmage.

“The great thing is that the apparatus is so visually striking that it immediately draws attention,” says Local 149 President Greg Womack. The local plans to make additional adjustments to the engine by installing a video monitor to display videos educating the public about the Boise fire fighters and attaching a barbeque.