The Sierra County Fire Protection District has brought their 1929 La France Fire Engine back into quarters at the old Calpine Fire Station. The Engine was the first purchase made by the Fire District. It was manufactured in New York and shipped around the horn to San Francisco. Once accepted by the District, it was driven to Sattley by volunteers via the Feather River Canyon. The route over old Highway 40 was considered too challenging for a February trip in the open cabbed Engine.
The District entrusted the antique Engine to former District Chief, Jerry McCaffrey for promotional uses. Jerry presented the Engine at a number of parades and civic events throughout the Valley.
The Fire Engine suffered an engine failure and fell into disrepair. Critical parts (lanterns, steering wheel, and hood ornament) were placed in protective storage while the Fire Engine itself was stored in a barn owned by the Sierra Valley Ranch as a generous offer of the Roen family. Unfortunately, during this storage, many of the brass fittings were taken from the stored Engine by thieves who hit a number of shops in the northern part of the valley.
As the Roen’s surfaced storage needs, the decision was made to move the Engine back to a District owned building in Calpine. That move involved the deployment of four trucks, three trailers, a skidsteer, and three creative equipment operators. A variety of talents were needed to fix flat tires, create a make-shift steering system, winch the Engine on and off a flatbed trailer and park the Engine in a small garage.
A special thank you is extended to Paul Roen, the Sierra Valley Ranch, Mike Ryan and Joe Maddalena for their creativity and collective humor.
The District will continue to work with the McCaffrey family to gather the missing steering wheel, hood ornament, and rear lanterns. The District will also entertain public comment on what the District should do with the antique engine over the long term. Suggestions can be made at the District’s website (https://www.sierracountyfireprotectiondistrict1.org) or by mail to P.O. Box 255, Sierraville CA. 96126.
The District entrusted the antique Engine to former District Chief, Jerry McCaffrey for promotional uses. Jerry presented the Engine at a number of parades and civic events throughout the Valley.
The Fire Engine suffered an engine failure and fell into disrepair. Critical parts (lanterns, steering wheel, and hood ornament) were placed in protective storage while the Fire Engine itself was stored in a barn owned by the Sierra Valley Ranch as a generous offer of the Roen family. Unfortunately, during this storage, many of the brass fittings were taken from the stored Engine by thieves who hit a number of shops in the northern part of the valley.
As the Roen’s surfaced storage needs, the decision was made to move the Engine back to a District owned building in Calpine. That move involved the deployment of four trucks, three trailers, a skidsteer, and three creative equipment operators. A variety of talents were needed to fix flat tires, create a make-shift steering system, winch the Engine on and off a flatbed trailer and park the Engine in a small garage.
A special thank you is extended to Paul Roen, the Sierra Valley Ranch, Mike Ryan and Joe Maddalena for their creativity and collective humor.
The District will continue to work with the McCaffrey family to gather the missing steering wheel, hood ornament, and rear lanterns. The District will also entertain public comment on what the District should do with the antique engine over the long term. Suggestions can be made at the District’s website (https://www.sierracountyfireprotectiondistrict1.org) or by mail to P.O. Box 255, Sierraville CA. 96126.
