The Courier-News has a story about a retired Elgin fire engine that's being donated to a fire department in Chile, Elgin's sister city. 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 fire apparatus dealer, has been working on the 1996 Seagrave pumper, which once served at Elgin's Station 5 on Villa Street until 2012. The truck originally cost the city $228,000, and refurbishing it would be even more expensive. However, Tobin has already done significant work, including re-strapping the fuel tank, adding "Cauquenes" stencils to the cab, replacing the pump shift and gauges, and even installing a bell.
According to Elgin Fire Lieutenant Bob Bedard, the engine is still in decent condition and far superior to what’s currently available in Cauquenes, where firefighters often rely on pickup trucks equipped with basic pumps. The truck came into Bedard’s hands after Elgin purchased a ladder truck, and as part of the deal, the city received $10,000 to trade in the old engine. A company representative then agreed to donate the vehicle to the Sister Cities initiative.
This isn't the first time Elgin has supported Cauquenes. In February 2011, a group of Elgin firefighters traveled to Rancagua to conduct a goodwill mission, helping train local emergency workers on how to use donated firefighting and rescue equipment from several local departments. Then, in January 2013, Elgin sent a variety of outdated but functional gear — including fire hoses, turnout gear, helmets, boots, nozzles, electronics, and a fire engine — all of which were surplus by U.S. standards. The Chileans covered the shipping costs.
Bedard had to personally raise $20,000 to cover the transportation expenses, and the city of Elgin didn’t contribute any funds to the effort. He also mentioned that the Chilean firefighters have expressed interest in learning more about techniques like building shoring and rope operations, as well as extrication methods. Since used cars are hard to come by in Chile, they’re looking for practical training tools. This donation represents not just a transfer of equipment, but a meaningful exchange of knowledge and support between two communities.
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