One of the most important tools for the Mount Vernon fire department is now half a century old.
"You can see the scratches and marks on it. The once really bright red paint is more of an orange color now. It's faded over the past 50 years. But overall, it's still an excellent running truck," said Chief Brad DeLay, Mount Vernon Volunteer Fire Protection District.
With low mileage and almost all of the original equipment intact, the 1970 Chevy truck is anything but outdated.
"It's kind of just basically a reserve engine. If we need it we know it's going to start and run and pump water for us," explained DeLay.
He said the classic fire apparatus is like family.
"Honestly it's just been part of this community for so long everybody just recognizes it," he said.
The basic, yet effective design, was built to last.