Current, former Cd'A firefighters restore century-old fire truck

One hundred and two years ago, the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department purchased an American Lafrance fire truck. 

At the time, the 1,000 gallons per minute pump was the biggest west of the Mississippi River, said retired CFD Lt. Kirk Marshall and current CFD Engineer and Paramedic Kellen McKiernan. 

Now, thanks to the hard work from Marshall and McKiernan, that fire truck not only looks good, but runs just as good as it did 100 years ago.

“You can’t not just fall in love with it,” Marshall said Monday.

Marshall and McKiernan have spent years systematically restoring the machine. Its original T-head engine displaces about 885 cubic inches and produces 115 horsepower, technology that was considered cutting edge in the 1920s. 

“Look at it. Doesn’t that say it all?” Marshall said, when asked why he cared about the machine so much. 

Marshall and McKiernan are the latest stewards in a long line of CFD firefighters that have spent time restoring and maintaining the machine. Decades prior, former CFD Firefighter Carnie McArthur spent hours learning how to repaint the intricate striping along the sides of the vehicle. 

“I’m just so proud of the history of it and where it’s come from,” McKiernan said.  

The truck’s survival with original pump, running gear and most components intact is are. Marshall and McKiernan have made countless upgrades and fixes to the fire truck, using a community of restorers and experts to find parts when they can, or “work around” them if they can’t. The duo has focused on mechanical systems like fuel, ignition, chain drive, steering and electrical. 

“We haven’t run into anything major that had to be replaced,” said Marshall. “It’s just been a series of little things.” 

The truck retains its chain drive on both sides and brakes only on the rear wheels, the siren is hand cranked. Its original wood spoke wheels were replaced long ago with cast iron wheels, fitted with custom casted, era-proper tires from Goodrich. 

“It was pretty cool to have these made,” Marshall said. 

Marshall, retired 25 years, said returning to the station to work on the vehicle carries personal weight. 

“To come back to the station, I have so many memories of that building,” he said. “To be contributing to the department again, that’s a big deal to me.” 

Marshall and McKiernan are looking to train the next generation of caretakers, with six CFD firefighters who could be soon learning the machine. 

Local 710 covers the equipment costs of the half city-owned, half firefighter-owned truck, something that Marshall and McKiernan were very thankful for. McKiernan also wanted to thank CFD Capt. Jake Bieker for his support in the restoration efforts. 

“They see the value in keeping it running,” McKiernan said. 

A 1947 Buffalo fire truck is currently the city’s parade regular, although the American Lafrance is being prepared for public appearances. It is on display at the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Station 1 Administration Building. 

For Marshall and McKiernan, the work is both mechanical and generational: keeping a piece of Coeur d’Alene fire history alive for the next crew. 

“I want this truck to be around forever,” McKiernan said.  

    Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Engineer and Paramedic Kelan McKiernan and former CFD Lt. Kirk Marshall get ready to start the American Lafrance fire truck at the CFD Station 1 Administration Building on Monday.
  

    Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Engineer and Paramedic Kelan McKiernan adjusts the fuel system prior to starting the classic fire truck on Tuesday at the CFD Station 1 Administration Building.