Historic Norwalk fire engine returns home

NORWALK — A piece of Norwalk firefighting history returned home Tuesday as the city's 1912 fire engine was brought back to the Norwalk fire station. The historic truck — described by supporters as Norwalk's first motorized fire engine and once considered among the most powerful fire engines in the world — arrived at the station at about 2 p.m. In front of fire station 1912, city councilman Steve Gfell — who's also helping lead a restoration committee effort to restore the vehicle — rode with Aber's Towing to bring the engine from its prior resting place in Kent to Norwalk Concrete on Commerce Drive. The engine was brought on a short processional route to the fire station on Main Street. Local residents lined the sidewalks at the fire station to welcome the engine to its new home. The restoration committee, fire department members and city government employees stood in the garage in front of the fire engine for photos as the event ended. For those working to bring the fire engine back, the return marked more than the movement of an old vehicle. It was the start of a restoration effort aimed at preserving one of the city's most significant pieces of fire department history. The truck once served from the same fire station where it returned Tuesday, making the homecoming especially meaningful for those involved in the project. How it started Steve Gfell, who is helping lead the restoration effort, said the path to finding the truck began unexpectedly. He said he had been searching Facebook Marketplace for vintage tire pressure gauges when he went to the residence of Greg Gfell, no relation. Greg's family has ties to the Milan area and he began walking Steve around showing him pieces of local history that he has acquired. "He asked if there was any interest in obtaining the apparatus for historical purposes," Steve said. That meeting eventually led to the discovery that Norwalk's historic 1912 fire engine still existed and was in Greg's possession, an item that his family had for more than 50 years. Steve and other community members then decided to form the Norwalk 1912 Firework Restoration Committee with the Firelands Historical Society in order to purchase and restore "an important piece of Norwalk's firefighting heritage," according to a release from the city. A turning point in fire service The 1912 fire engine represents a major shift in Norwalk's fire service. Before motorized fire engines, departments relied on horse-drawn equipment to respond to fires. The arrival of a motorized engine changed how quickly firefighters could respond and how much power they could bring to major fires. The 216-horsepower truck has been described as Norwalk's first auto fire engine. At the time, the engine was also considered one of the most powerful fire engines in the world, according to those involved with the restoration effort. The truck's return gave Norwalk residents a chance to see a physical piece of the city's early public safety history. Project's next steps Now that the fire engine is back in Norwalk, the next step is restoration. The fire engine does not currently run. It was brought to Fire Station 1912 via trailer and rolled into the station garage as tradition warrants by Nowalk firefighters. The Norwalk 1912 Fire Truck Restoration Committee is raising money to restore the vehicle. The project is expected to involve many processes, such as inspection, mechanical work, body work, storage, fundraising or display planning. The committee estimated the restoration would cost about $225,000. The goal is to restore the engine and display it locally. The engine currently sits at the fire station and will remain there. Those with questions or wanting to sponsor the project are encouraged to contact the committee members: Steve Gfell, Nancy Gfell, city fire Chief Dan Strayer and Stewart Downey. Donations may be made by check payable to Firelands Historical Society, in care of 1912 Fire Truck, P.O. Box 43, Norwalk, OH 44857. The release noted that any excess funds raised for the project will go toward the historical society's expansion project.