Phoenix firefighting museum displays restored engine that responded to 9/11
Aug 17, 2021, 4:15 AM
PHOENIX — A Phoenix firefighting museum last week celebrated the return of an engine that responded to 9/11 after the rig was restored back to the way it looked on that fateful day.
New York natives Mark Anello and Rick Stuve over the past two years have been conducting the slow and arduous process of restoring the rig for the museum, according to a press release.
The Hall of Flame Museum, the world’s largest museum of firefighting history, was gifted the engine by retired New York firefighter Robert Allen nearly three years ago.
He purchased the original 1996 HME/Saulsbury FDNY Rescue-4 rig and donated it under the condition that it would never be used for anything but a museum display, according to the release.
All eight crew members on the engine that responded to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, died when the towers collapsed, according to the release.
The museum in the release said it was honored and humbled the precious piece of history was entrusted to the Hall of Flame and it will be on permanent display for generations.
A dedication ceremony was held on Saturday to welcome the engine and featured retired members of the New York Fire Department that live in Phoenix, several dignitaries and assorted guests as well as Allen.
Anello and Stuve worked with contractors across the country to obtain and install parts and difficult-to-find items, according to the release, while fellow retired New York firefighter John Ferry played an integral role in obtaining the original doors of the rig. Ferry is the vice president of the Phoenix FDNY Retirees.
The museum, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary this year, is located at 6101 E Van Buren St. in Phoenix and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with tours only taking place on Monday for groups of 10 or more.
