On Monday, January 29, 2024, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue held an in-servicing and commemoration event recognizing the department’s newest engine to join the fleet while honoring its oldest apparatus, a 1924 Stutz Pumper.
Purchased 100 years ago for $8,000 the Stutz was Hillsboro’s first motorized firefighting apparatus. With the ability to pump 500 GPM, it was an invaluable addition to the department serving a small farming community of approximately 2,400 people. With fire being of great concern to a growing community, “the Stutz brought a tremendous amount of security and assurance,” said Hillsboro Fire & Rescue Captain Ben Tanner.
“As we look back in time to honor a piece of our department’s past, we’re also celebrating where we are today with the in-servicing of a new apparatus. We can see both tradition and innovation in each apparatus,” added Tanner. Engine 1, built by Spartan, can pump 1,500 GPM, carry 940 gallons of water, and has nearly 2,700 feet of hose capacity, along with an abundance of storage space for fire tools and medical equipment. The engine took approximately 2 years to build at a base cost of $824,698.68.
In 1924 Hillsboro Fire crews responded to approximately 100 calls for service, in contrast to their nearly 15,000 calls in 2023. Although a lot has changed in 100 years, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue remains committed to providing the highest level of quality emergency and risk reduction services to the growing community of more than 108,000 people. Covering a service area of almost 26 square miles, the five fire stations are strategically located and equipped with a variety of apparatus, giving the crews the ability to respond effectively and efficiently.
To commemorate the new fire engine, the department sounded the siren on the 1924 Stutz Fire Engine followed by sounding the siren on the new fire engine as a symbolic transition.
