Recently, the Courier-News featured an inspiring story about a retired Elgin fire engine set to be donated to a fire department in Cauquenes, Elgin's sister city in Chile. This particular fire engine, a 1996 Seagrave model, was stationed at Elgin’s Fire Station 5 on Villa Street until 2012. After its retirement, it found itself parked on John Tobin’s driveway in West Dundee, waiting for its next chapter. Tobin, a seasoned firefighter and former apparatus salesman, has been meticulously restoring the vehicle to ensure it returns to active duty in Cauquenes. Tobin’s efforts include a complete overhaul of the vehicle. He replaced the fuel tank straps, painted "Cauquenes" on the cab, fixed the pump shift, updated the gauges, and even installed a new bell. Despite its age, Tobin believes this engine still has plenty of life left in it. In fact, Elgin Fire Lieutenant Bob Bedard noted that it surpasses the capabilities of the current fleet in Cauquenes, which primarily consists of basic pickup trucks equipped with rudimentary pumps. This donation journey began when the city of Elgin upgraded to a newer ladder truck. As part of the transaction, the city received $10,000 as a trade-in for the old engine. However, instead of letting it gather dust, company representatives decided to donate the vehicle to the Sister Cities initiative. Bedard emphasized that no taxpayer funds from Elgin were used for this project. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Elgin has reached out to its sister city with firefighting aid. Back in February 2011, a team of Elgin firefighters traveled to Rancagua to provide training and support using surplus equipment donated by various local fire departments. Then, in January 2013, Elgin sent additional supplies, including fire hoses, turnout gear, helmets, boots, nozzles, electronics, medical equipment, and another fire engine—all outdated but highly valuable to their Chilean counterparts. The shipping costs for that engine alone amounted to $20,000, entirely raised by Bedard and his team. Beyond the physical donation, the Cauquenes firefighters expressed interest in learning advanced techniques such as structural shoring and rope-based rescue operations. They also face challenges in finding old vehicles for crash simulation and extrication practice, making this donation particularly meaningful. With Tobin’s restoration nearing completion, the Elgin fire engine is poised to make a significant impact in Cauquenes. It symbolizes not just a gift of machinery but a bridge of knowledge and collaboration between two communities separated by thousands of miles but united by shared values and mutual respect. Pom Particles,High Gloss Pom Particles,Pom Plastic Particles,Pom Plastic Raw Materials JIANGSU SHIHENG CHEMICAL CO., LTD , https://www.shihengpolymer.com
June 04, 2025