Cookout to Aid Restoration of Historic E.P. Fire Truck

Help restore a fire truck that is a piece of East Providence firefighting history.

The fire truck is a 1951 Ward Lafrance pumper, said Scott Grace, of Local 850, which owns the vehicle. 

Grace and other members of the union local are hosting a “family-friendly cookout” at another piece of East Providence history on Friday afternoon, Aug. 16, the historic Hunts Mills on Pleasant Avenue in Rumford.

The fundraiser will run from 2 to 4 pm.

“We discovered that we need more cash than volunteer help with the restoration,” said Grace. 

In particular, he said, firefighter Dan Pion, who has been leading the restoration, “was taking money out of his own pocket,” Grace said.

The fire truck is road-worthy, Grace said. But it is definitely a work in progress.

The fire truck was stored for many years in the former Bentley Street garage, said Grace. That kept it in pretty good shape.

After the garage was demolished, he said, the fire truck was moved to the public works garage on Commercial Way and shrink-wrapped. Unfortunately, it was parked over a moist area and soon began to rust.

“It’s now in a dry place,” said Grace, the former Fox Toyota garage on Taunton Avenue, where the restoration work is taking place. The space is being donated to the union. 

“Whatever anyone wants to donate for the food will be appreciated,” said Grace.

There will be hamburgers and hot dogs, some entertainment and a showing of the fire truck itself. All money raised will go to the restoration fund.