A long-time local farmer is giving the Delta fire department a piece of its history back.
Ivan Peterson is donating a remarkably well-preserved vintage fire truck, a 1959 GMC that was stationed at the volunteer Fire Hall No. 4 in East Delta for three decades. It has been stored at a variety of Ladner barns for many years.
Peterson purchased the vehicle, which has only 14,000 miles, at an auction 21 years ago for only $450.
The white truck was most recently on display at the former fire hall, where it caught the eye of several firefighters as well as Delta Firefighters Association president Brad Wilson, who thought it would be a great attraction to celebrate their 50th anniversary this summer.
There wasn't any need to convince Peterson to donate the truck to the firefighters, who hope to spruce it up so it can be used for parades and other civic celebrations.
Wilson and a large crowd of locals, as well as fire Chief Dan Copeland, Mayor Lois Jackson and Coun. Ian Paton, were on hand at Peterson's East Delta property Wednesday afternoon to take a look at the impressive donation.
"I wanted to have it as a static display at our banquet and we were looking at it and said I'd love to rent it, but then he offered it to me," Wilson said. "From there it sort of snowballed.
We got Chief Copeland involved and here we are today."
Peterson, who thanked fellow farmers for helping him store the vehicle over the years to keep it away from the elements, said he purchased it to ensure a piece of Delta's heritage wasn't lost.
"I didn't want someone to buy it and turn it into scrap metal. I don't know what use I have for it now," he said.
Also there to admire the vehicle and reminisce was Gordon Huff, a former chief at the volunteer fire station.
He recalled the truck was considered state-of-the art, while the volunteers who manned the station were all first rate.
Copeland said while the ladder truck is in fairly good shape, it still needs restoration. There isn't money available for the project, but he's sure volunteers will lend their time and fundraising will help bring the truck back to its former glory.
Paton, who volunteered at the fire hall, recalled how he and other members would have to stand at the back of the truck holding on to a railing without the benefit of modern straps.
Although the engine still runs, the big white truck was towed back to a barn after the gathering at Peterson's farm.
