Locust Students Explore Historic Pumper Truck

“Why is it yellow?” and “How did you get it here?” These were just two of the many questions posed by Locust kindergartners during a presentation by Mr. Philip Huntington, husband of teacher Rose Huntington, who visited the school with his 1923 LaFrance-Brockway Torpedo pumper fire truck.

Mr. Huntington explained that his truck was painted yellow instead of red by the firehouse that previously owned the truck, “It was their colors.” He drove the truck (top speed: 25 mph) from his home in Sea Cliff and onto the back field at Locust so students could experience the 91-year-old vehicle and its fire-fighting features.

To kick off October as Fire Prevention Month, students learned about the history of firefighting and had the opportunity to hop on the antique truck to ring the bell and crank the siren used on the (then) state-of-the-art truck.

During his visit, Mr. Huntington stressed the importance of each family having an evacuation plan in case of a fire or other emergency, and reminded students to follow the directions of the adult in charge during a fire drill or real emergency.

“Thank you, Mr. Huntington!” was the enthusiastic response repeated by the students as they hopped off the magnificent old fire truck.