A reliable old six-wheeled friend recently made it back to the Springfield Fire Department (SFD), and Fire Chief Jeff Glodoski couldn’t be more pleased.

The firehouse red, Mack B-85 truck was originally purchased by the City of Springfield in 1956 and remained a part of the SFD fleet until the early 2000s.

“The truck was here when I was hired in 2000, and it was in such bad shape that it just sat in our bay,” recounts Jeff. “The paint was faded, and the entire thing was really run down. We didn't use it for pumping or anything, and at some point, we pushed it outside and covered it with a tarp because it wouldn’t start.”

Shortly after that, the fire truck caught the interest of area resident Jim Beasley, who purchased it from the SFD and refurbished it, bringing back both its luster and functionality. Thereafter, the truck was showcased during local parades and ceremonies, with Jim allowing the SFD to utilize the truck for private funerals and weddings.  

While the fire truck could have remained in his collection, Jim had a better idea for its future use, says Jeff:

“He said, ‘I'd love to see it come back to where it started … at the City of Springfield.’ So, he sold it back to us last summer for a fantastic price, considering the care he put into bringing it back to its original condition.”

As one might imagine, there are numerous differences between the fire trucks of the 1950’s and the modern vehicles of today.

“They had smaller frames back then and were harder to drive because there was no power steering and the brakes were still manual,” Jeff explains. “Of course, there were no electronics and smaller pumps, so they were a lot more compact. They can still pump water, though. We can still put out fires with them … all that good stuff.”

A unique feature Jeff points out on the 1956 Mack B-85 is its open cab concept.

“Even when there’s rain and snow, there’s no cab to cover you,” the chief says. “Back in the day, firemen rode on the back of these trucks on what was called the ‘Beaver Tail,’ and they held onto the handles to keep themselves steady until they got to the call.”

Speaking of calls, the Springfield Fire Department averages 3,300 calls per year. That equates to right at 9 calls per day, ranging from large fires to motor vehicle accidents to medical emergencies.

“We get calls for just about everything,” says Jeff. “We just try to help people. That’s what we’re here for.”

For the moment, the truck is docked at the Springfield Fire Station after having made its way back home during a period of expansion for the SFD. The department is staffing up for the forthcoming addition of Fire Station 3, with two new trucks set to join the fleet this summer.

“We like to display the 1950s truck because it’s a piece of our history as a fire department,” Jeff adds. “Really, it’s a little piece of the town's history that's made its way back to us.”