The Winamac Volunteer Fire Department is adding a couple historic trucks to its fleet. The department was recently able to acquire a 1946 American LaFrance truck that originally belonged to them, after more than a year of discussions. Firefighters plan to use it for parades and promotional appearances. The town council last week officially agreed to take ownership and pay the $126 annual insurance cost.
As for who pays for repairs and maintenance, Council President Tom Murray felt it should be up to the department. “That should be all the fire department’s doing because they went out and bought that thing on their own, not telling us or nothing,” Murray said. “Why should we absorb the repairs on it? That should be their baby. That’s my opinion.” Others were willing to consider splitting the cost.
The town council also agreed to take back and insure an old Studebaker truck that was previously part of the fleet.
