An elderly 102-year-old woman from Orange County, California recently embarked on a history-filled tour in a vintage fire truck made in 1922, the same year as her birth, creating a heartwarming experience full of nostalgia.
According to a report by local TV station KTLA, under the arrangement of her family, the woman named Lois Rufer visited the fire department in the western city of Huntington Beach, where she got to explore the first motorized fire truck in the city, produced by Seagrave in 1922.
The 102-year-old lady took a spin around the training center in the vintage fire truck. Firefighters described it as a rare and delightful journey through “living history.”
Reported by the Orange County Register, Rufer jokingly said, “They wanted to know if I could ride. I said, ‘I thought I was going to drive!'” Although she did not actually drive, she rang the bell on the truck and used the hand-cranked siren in the passenger seat as she happily toured around in the fire truck.
Rufer learned about the old fire truck from an article in the newspaper and mentioned it to her family, which led to this special meeting. Known for her humor and independence in the community where she lives, she has been a participant in bowling leagues for decades, and her driver’s license was valid until last year.
The fire truck was once a pride of the early Huntington Beach fire department, purchased for $14,500, a significant amount in those days but far lower than the $1.3 million price tag of modern fire trucks today.
City officials mentioned that this fire truck was one of the first motorized fire trucks purchased by the city, marking the transition from horse-drawn fire trucks to motorized ones.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department stated in a press release that the fire truck itself did not carry water but relied on a 30-gallon chemical tank, likely filled with an unknown type of fire extinguishing agent. In comparison, modern fire trucks can carry 500 gallons of water, thousands of feet of fire hose, and a powerful water pump capable of spraying 1500 gallons per minute.
Fire Chief Rex Rysewyk told the Orange County Register that he had heard stories of Seagrave fire trucks being used to extinguish fires en route, such as during a fire in San Bernardino County, California, after being taken off a train in Ohio. This added a unique charm to the fire truck’s history.
He added that seeing Rufer enthusiastically reunite with the vintage fire truck brought him immense joy. “Someone appreciating a car as old as she is… It’s a rare opportunity.”