Original Snorkel to be restored by Smeal

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From The DesPlaines Valley News:

A historic piece of fire-fighting history is being saved from the scrap heap. The vintage Bedford Park Fire Department Snorkel, which was reportedly headed for the junkyard, has been rescued and will now find a new home.

Fire Chief Sean Maloy revealed that this particular truck is the first original Snorkel ever built in 1959. It will be donated to Smeal Fire Apparatus in Snyder, Nebraska. “They plan to restore it completely to how it looked when it was delivered to Bedford Park on March 31, 1960,” Maloy said. “It’s going to be displayed in their museum and taken to fire apparatus shows around the country.”

Smeal recently acquired the rights to the Snorkel name from LTI in June, and they’re planning to start producing new units again. “They want to showcase the original truck at fire conferences, and it’ll definitely serve as a marketing tool,” Maloy added.

The Bedford Park name and markings will remain on the truck, and the department will send Smeal photos of the original so that every detail is accurately restored. “We’re giving them the truck for just $1, even though it needs about $60,000 in repairs,” Maloy said.

The village board was thrilled to see the truck get a second chance. “This is an important part of firefighting history, and I’m glad it’s going to a place where it can be preserved and appreciated,” Maloy said.

Interestingly, the first Snorkel was originally converted from a tree trimmer, but the first official model was built by Pierce in 1959 for the Chicago Fire Department. “For some reason, they didn’t buy it, and it ended up in Bedford Park,” Maloy explained. “I heard they got a great deal on it.” For two decades, Bedford Park firefighters used the Snorkel in both emergency operations and parades.

Maloy also thanked the newspaper for playing a role in making this preservation effort possible.

Thanks, Drew

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