NEBRASKA CITY – A Sutphen fire engine that has been Nebraska’s City primary response vehicle since 1979 is linked by local lore to terrible fires like the roller skating rink and the explosion of a silo holding crumb rubber at the Entire facility, but a generation of volunteers are also reminded of a man whose photo has been tucked beneath the seat.

David Chandler’s father had been a firefighter in Ralston and he volunteered with the Great Western Fire Company and Nebraska City Rescue Squad when he arrived here to manage a Kwik Shop. Firefighter Kim Kohout said it was experiencing the struggle with the deadly roller skating rink fire that encouraged Chandler to try and make a difference as a full-time firefighter until his untimely death at the age of 32.

Kohout: “One day he ended up collapsing at the Wonder Wash, just on the other side of the viaduct on 11^th Street. He was also on rescue duty as a volunteer at that time, so his duty team actually went out and picked him up. Unfortunately, he was in full arrest and in need of CPR, so they did CPR to him. He ended up expiring, or not making it, and that unfortunately was a major blow to us – losing one of our own.”

Kohout said he talked with other firefighters and they decided to place Chandler’s photo beneath the seat on the pumper.

Kohout: “At that time the two paid firemen that were left decided to memorialize him in our main truck forever, we’re hoping. … Our intent there was that he would always be with us.”

After 47-years of frontline service, city commissioners agreed Monday to designate the truck to the Nebraska City Museum of Firefighting.

At fire glance, it’s easy to see the truck’s historical features. There’s a running board on back where firefighters could stand on the way to a fire. A fire extinguisher and an axe are attached outside.

None of these features are seen on modern trucks, where equipment is all stored behind sliding doors.

Kohout said the pumper belongs at the museum with an 1861 hand pump all the way forward to steam-powered engines and finally modern diesel trucks. For him, there are stories the pumper can tell.

Kohout: “It has its own attitude. It sounds really stupid to somebody who doesn’t really … hasn’t been around for a long time, but it has it’s own attitude and you have to know that. They always said you’ve got to drive it like you stole it, almost. This truck you really do. It doesn’t like to be babied at all. You have to drive it real hard and then it runs perfect.”

The departments historic preservation officer, third-generation firefighter Jeff Lollmann said while you might need to drive the truck like you stole you, it has remained in service at Nebraska City for 47 years because it’s care for and maintained like it was next of kin.

Lollmann: “We’ll be able to use this truck for fire prevention, funerals, parades. It’ll be well taken care of for the next generation.”

The truck is expected to end its front-line service with 18,000 miles and 1,100 hours.