PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — People love to sell things on the side of the road in our region, and we found something unusual: A big, red vintage fire truck parked along a Calvert County road with a “For Sale” sign stuck in the front window.
D.C. firefighter John Waters owns the 1971 Ward LaFrance truck, which he says is still in good working order: “It actually can go back in service if it’s needed.”
Waters says today’s fire trucks run on diesel fuel, but this truck’s 80-gallon tank has to be filled with gasoline. “They don’t make the trucks like they used to back in the day. That’s why this one’s lasting so long.”
He adds, “I enjoy trucks like this. It’s how I was taught when I came on as a volunteer back in the early ‘80s.”
The name of the Stittville, New York, Fire Department is painted in gold lettering on its side.
Waters says he bought the truck from a collector in Connecticut and drove it to Maryland about seven years ago. As a member of the Calvert Elks Lodge, he has used it for charity events and fundraisers: “I’ve delivered Santa Claus up here for the kids,” he says.
Now, he wants to find the truck a new home where it will be well cared for. “I’m going to miss it,” he adds.
Shortly after our interview, Waters sold the truck.
