John Purkey III spent 37 years in the Baltimore County Fire Department. When he retired in 2012 he decided to continue to do what he loves and he bought a fire engine.
“People ask me, is that your fire engine? How do you get one? I went on Ebay and I found this engine and i said i was going to buy it. So I bought it out of Reno, Nevada, I flew out there and drove it home,” Purkey said.
Purkey spends a lot of time making free appearances in the Baltimore area because he wants to give back to the community.
“It started when I did a Golden Flight benefit at Northpoint Edgemere Yacht Club. Then I met some people who had me come down for wounded warriors. So somehow I’ve gotten involved in all these things.