The McLean Fire Engine That Could

A little piece of McLean history is parked in the McLean Firehouse. That is when it's not serving as Santa's sled, showing off McLean in parades and attending birthday parties.

The 1970 Pirsch fire engine has been on active duty for 41 years. At the time of its purchase from Peter Pirsch and Sons in Kenosha, WI, it was cutting edge - the first diesel powered engine in McLean, purchased for $39,770.

For about fifteen years, the truck was used in countless emergency calls until it was retired in the 1980’s. Due to changing codes in Fairfax County, the fire truck no longer met the new stringent requirements. However, the McLean Volunteer Fire Department (MVFD) was not ready to give up on the truck.

 The Pirsch fire engine was given a new role – that of a community liaison for the MVFD. For the past twenty-five years, the truck has been used for children’s birthday parties, as a roost for Santa, in the annual Open House at the fire station, driving down thoroughfares in parades such as the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, and even featured in McLean neighborhood barbecues and picnics.

Beginning in 1935, the department purchased all its  trucks from Pirsch and Sons, said Clyde Clark, a member of the MVFD since 1962 and Chief from 1990 until 2010. “We were so pleased with the quality and durability…That [1970] engine was unique to us. It was the first one purchased that was a diesel.” Clark said.

By the time the truck needed to be replaced, Pirsch and Sons had gone out of business. The MVFD wanted to do something to honor their relationship with the former manufacturing company. Clark said, “The truck has special meaning for the department because it was the last truck [from Pirsch]. Knowing it was to be decommissioned, we made the conscious decision to keep it for community outreach."

Mark Paris, the volunteer firefighter who manages the Pirsch, said there is no charge for citizens to feature the truck in community events. However, donations are always welcome.

Through those donations the MVFD has been able to maintain the vehicle.  “I’ve been trying to use it as much as I can, " Paris said.  "Then that way it can make a little money. The money from the donations helps to save it.”

Most recently, there was a problem with the engine, but the needed parts were no longer available. Luckily, a mechanic was able to retrofit a different brand of engine – the entire driveline needed to be rebuilt. Costs for the repairs exceeded $10,000.

Paris said the MVFD still needs to raise funds to repair the steering, suspension and the brakes of the truck.

The MVFD was founded in 1921; the only machinery was a borrowed hand crank-controlled pump and a fire extinguisher. The original fire station was a barn. Then in 1923, the MVFD was given its charter as Company #1, the first in Fairfax County.

Since 1988, the fire department has resided in its current station on Laughlin Avenue. There are two ambulances, one heavy rescue squad, one pumper, one 4-wheel drive truck, one fire prevention safety trailer and the antique Pirsch. These pieces of equipment are owned by the MVFD.  There is also one ladder trucker which is owned by Fairfax County.

There are both volunteer firemen and employees of the county, 30 and 13-14 respectively. Both classes of firefighters must train through the same program, but the paid employees have more “on-the-job” training.

According to Paris, who also works at McLean Hardware, “I’ve been here [the fire station] 21 years; I’ve lived in McLean for 45.  I saw this [the fire truck] go down the road as a child and in my high school years.  It’s a big part of the McLean community and its history. It’s put out a lot of fires.

 “People in the community say, ‘you can’t get rid of it.’ For the fire department, it’s our biggest piece of history.”