Seagrave Fire Apparatus and its employees paid a special tribute to fallen fighters on the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedy by announcing they are donating a new Commander II rescue pumper to New York City.

"The employees of Seagrave wanted to donate this truck to New York in honor of the firefighters who lost their lives during the disaster," said Seagrave president Jim Hebe. "New York has been a loyal Seagrave customer for 75 years and our employees feel a deep sense of admiration for their courage, fighting spirit and loyalty. Of the hundreds of Seagrave fire trucks in frontline service for FDNY, over 50 were destroyed in the 9/11 disaster," Hebe added. "Seagrave built 54 replacement trucks for New York, and each one carries a commemorative medallion on the front of the cab to further honor their fallen."
The donated Commander II rescue pumper features an eagle graphic across the entire body with the words, "Never Forget." It will go into service for Squad 61 in New York next month.
Seagrave’s 360 employees sponsored a number of fundraisers in their local community, such as a chili cook-off, brat fry and pork barbecue, to raise money for the fire truck. In addition they sponsored a blood drive, sold raffle tickets and commemorative medallions similar to those on the replacement trucks, with all proceeds going to the fire truck.
"About 10% of our Clintonville facility workforce are volunteer firefighters and EMTs so our employees feel quite a close bond with the FDNY, " Hebe said.
Seagrave Fire Apparatus, founded in 1881, is the oldest continuous manufacturer of fire apparatus in North America. The company employs 422 through its manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Canada. Seagrave products are distributed and serviced by a dealer network with locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
For more information, visit the Seagrave web site at www.seagrave.com.