History
In front of the truck from L-R (Gordon Mason, Bob Mason, Bert Copp, Deputy Chief Dennis Allen, Phil Allen,
Harold Sutherland and Ed Sterner)
On the back of the truck from L-R (David Garnet, unknown child, Tom Terrison and Donald Brann)
Story of this truck as told by Deputy Cheif Dennis Allen:
The old Engine 5 (1947 Army Truck) was constantly under repair. There was a barn fire at Lorin Norton's farm in Falmouth. While at the fire the Engine stalled and could not be restarted. Pete Langway asked Dennis what to do since he was Deputy Chief. Dennis told Pete to reach Copp Motors and have them tow the truck, but before Copp's could get there and because the Old Engine 5 was parked so near the fire and couldn't move the heat from the flames melted the lights, accessory parts and even the paint on the Engine.
A town meeting took place and it was voted to raise $27,000 for a new engine. The lowest bid came in at $32,000. So the dept. reduced the Engine spec, (by removing items like hose, ladders, etc.) till the cost of the new Engine came in at $27,000. Barry's Apple Orchard in Livermore Falls helped the department get the contract for the new Engine 5.
Dennis and Harold Sutherland flew to Titcomb, Indiana (they had to pay for their own tickets). They drove Engine 5 back to Cumberland in 27 hours, only stopping for 2 hours to sleep. He and Harold were very proud of their 1st NEW ENGINE. Once they reached the Falmouth/Cumberland line on Route 100 they turned on the lights and sirens all the way to the Gray town line. State Trooper Robert Andresen, stopped them, told them they had to turn off the lights and sirens because they were not en-route to a call. "They chatted", Andresen went North and Engine 5 went south and a mile or so later the lights and sirens were back on till they arrived at central station where Dennis and Harold were met by the department. Bert Copp was the first Captain of the new Engine 5.
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