Americans have always been in love with their automobile. It's part of their lives and it is part of many memories. You feel sad when it gets old and you have to part with it.  

The same is true with fire apparatus. Whether a volunteer fire company rig or a career unit, firefighters spend many years with the same vehicle, responding to alarms, battling blazes, parades, etc. Taking care of that apparatus so you don't have to use those dirty words of “change over” to a spare. That rig is your office.

In many older firehouses, the rig is on the same floor as the kitchen and part of the everyday routine. Like a firehouse dog, it becomes part of the firehouse family.

Members of Dumont Volunteer Hose Company 3 felt that way about their unit's former pumper, that had served the municipality for many years, with many firefighters. 

Engine 214 is a 1935 International cab and chassis with a 1937 American LaFrance body and 500-gpm pump. It was purchased in 1937 and placed into front-line service. It performed in this duty until 1954 when the rig was replaced by a Seagrave 750-gpm pumper. The International/American LaFrance was then used as a hose wagon. When a new Imperial pumper was delivered, in 1974, the old veteran was retired from fire duty.  

After Engine 214 was retired, it was sold at auction to a resident of Dumont. He later contacted members of Company 3 inquiring if anyone would like to join him as a part-owner. One member did, and he eventually became the sole owner. Firefighter Ed Carpentier attended many fire department events and won many trophies for the pumper's appearance and pumping capabilities.  

After Firefighter Carpentier's retirement, the engine was sold to a business in Central New Jersey. It was used for advertisement purposes in a parking lot and possessed various holiday decorations. In 2005, the son of Firefighter Carpentier visited Company 3's firehouse, and the firefighters learned of the current location of their former pumper. 

Company 3 members paid a visit to the engine's location and found it to be in “much disrepair,” with a lot of rust. A push was started by members to raised funds to purchased old 214 and bring her home. After months of negotiations, members were able to acquire the engine with money of their own collected, with no funding connection involving the fire company, itself.  

Six-years of hard and dedicated work brought old 214 back as a beautifully restored engine. This included donations from families, friends and residents.  

Outside of sandblasting and upholstery work, all other projects were done by local firefighters. This included mechanical work and a new paint job.  

Dumont firefighters proudly attended the Tenafly Fire Department's open house and muster with Engine 214, in June. Old 214 was on display with other beautifully restored and well-maintained antique fire apparatus from the area.   

“The engine is well on its way to be viewed as the hard worker it once was to the Borough and residents of Dumont,” said Ex-Chief Bob Stevens, of Company 3.