VIDEO/PHOTOS: A historical fire engine used in rescue efforts during the 1972 Black Hills Flood visited the Journey Museum on Wednesday.
Engine 6 is an eight cylinder Detroit diesel with a manual transmission and a 500 gallon tank. During the night of June 8-9, 1972, Shift 1 — consisting of firefighters Brassfield, Tish, McGinnis, Nordstrom and Houska — manned the 1971 American LaFrance. While in operation, Engine 6 was housed at the fire department’s Central Station at 610 Main Street. The engine has changed hands a few times. Division Chief of Fire Operations Brian Povandra currently owns it.
Tessa Jaeger, spokesperson for the Rapid City Fire Department, said records from 1972 make it difficult to find the first names of the firefighters.
According to a RCFD press release, Engine 6 played a key role in the rescue efforts during the first night of the 1972 flood. It spent most of its time that night in the area of West Boulevard and West Omaha Street.