Operation Ignite

"Operation Ignite" is a project to completely restore a 1928 American LaFrance Fire Truck that belongs to Osceola Volunteer Fire Department. This truck is very important to their history and holds a lot of promise for their future. Following is a write up by the Fire Chief about the truck.
A fire in downtown Osceola on November 22nd, 1917 at 1:00 am resulted in the deaths of Marshal Richard Eggleston and Firefighter George Griffin. During the fire at Frick's Drug Store on the south side of the Osceola square an explosion occurred causing a wall to collapse, resulting in the death of both men.
Nearly a decade later the City of Osceola was able to purchase the first water pumping fire engine, a 1928 American LaFrance. The much-needed upgrade allowed the Department to safely fight fires for many years until the Department upgraded to a newer and more modern engine in 1945.
In 2018 the Department was able to relocate the original 1928 American LaFrance, and they raised funds to purchase it again. The vision and dream of the Osceola Volunteer Fire Department is to completely restore the truck to its original splendor. They plan to utilize the truck for parades, educational visits, and other public events. One of the visions of the Department is to fit the truck with detachable equipment that will be utilized to carry Fallen Firefighters to their final resting place during funerals.
Osceola Volunteer Fire Department has partnered with Farm Boy Garage to begin the complete restoration of the 1928 American LaFrance fire truck. Currently, enough funds have been raised by the Fire Department to allow for the complete disassembly of the truck and to prepare it for sandblasting to begin the actual restoration. DONATE TODAY!