The restored Engine No. 2 is back home at the Qualicum Beach Fire Department.
Coun. Robert Filmer, who led the fundraising efforts to purchase the old Ford F-700 fire truck and donate it back to the Town of Qualicum Beach, is happy to see the refurbished vehicle now parked at one of the fire department’s bays.
Engine No. 2 was the first brand-new fire truck the town purchase in 1962. For years, it was first on the scene, protecting the community, its residents and infrastructure.
But after years of service, Engine No. 2 was retired from service and for a long time sat in the town’s public works yard. But in 2018, the town sold the fire truck to a hobbyist, who went on to restore it. It has been repainted with new letters that reads “Village of Qualicum Beach.”
Filmer indicated the town had an opportunity to buy back the refurbished fire truck in 2020 but council voted against it as the town didn’t have extra funds for the expenditure. He said his family has an attachment to the truck as his father and grandfather served as firefighters.
READ MORE: Qualicum Beach councillor raising funds to bring old fire truck back home
Undeterred, Filmer took the task of raising funds to purchase back Engine No. 2. He made a deal with the seller to allow him three weeks to fund raise $6,000 to pay for the restored fire truck and donate it back to the town.
Through a gofundme account, Filmer was able to raise more than $9,000 in less than three weeks. He went on to buy the fire truck.
“After a year of maintenance and care, Engine No. 2 has now officially been donated back to the Town of Qualicum Beach and is now living in one of the bays in the Qualicum Beach fire station,” said Filmer in a press release.
“A huge thank you to everyone who donated and helped bring Engine No. 2 home and a big thank you to Cojax Heavy Duty Repair in Coombs for donating storage space, shop time and staff labour towards the project.”
A brass plate is being made that will contain the names of people who donated to the fundraising effort.
Filmer said the community should be on the lookout for Engine No. 2 to appear in town events, parades and other fesitivities.