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A Lost Treasure!

During the Engine 11 project, we have worked to restore it, as much as possible, to its' original condition. We repainted the top red as it was when it was first put in service. We have acquired the bell for it and will reinstall it soon. We are excited today because we found a lost treasure and one we weren't sure was still out there.

It has long been a tradition in the fire department to have a dedication plate mounted on the truck stating the year it was put in service, the name of the Mayor, Fire Chief, City Council members or, as in Charleston, the members of the Board of Firemasters along with the year the truck was put in service. Engine 11 was placed in service in December, 1960 when J. Palmer Gaillard was Mayor and Fred C. Shokes was the Fire Chief. The dedication plate has now come back to its' original home and will be placed on Engine 11 this week.

The Final Stretch to Completion!

I'm not sure we knew what were getting into when we decided to begin the "Raising Engine 11" project. After over a year of work, we will soon be on the road. At last count, we had spent enough on new nuts and bolts to make a car payment. The final details of wiring, refurbishment of the spotlights, siren light, and beacon have been interesting but today we put life back in the old truck when we fired up the lights. Danny Schulken will finish his striping and lettering this coming week and we'll be ready to roll. Many people have been a part of this project and have supported it from the beginning. We are excited about finishing up and celebrating with all of you. We plan to have a rededication ceremony to unveil the finished truck and further illustrate our theme of "Memories of the Past, Visions for the Future".

Very, Very Close Now!

We have been able to make great progress on Engine 11 and the completion is in sight. We need to install some chrome, rewire the lights and paint the wheels. Also, Dan Schulken will be starting his work shortly to get it lettered and striped. Take a look at the before and after photos here to really appreciate our progress.

"Raising Engine 11" Update

Work continues on Engine 11 as we draw close to the completion of the project. We are now in the final stages of installing the hand rails, assembling the pump panel and preparing it for lettering and striping it with gold leaf.

Daniel Schulken, a CFD retiree known for his artistic work on many engines, trucks and cars of the Charleston Fire Dept. during his career, inspected Engine 11 last week in preparation for beginning his work. We are honored to have Dan become a part of this project. We have also started gathering much of the small equipment such as extinguishers, appliances and fittings that will adorn the running boards of the truck and we have been busy in the powdercoating shop refinishing much of it.

We are especially excited today as we received our new axes from the Liberty Art Works in Missouri with the Charleston 9 logo embossed in chrome. My wife, Marci-Jo and I are pleased to donate these two axes, one in memory of my Dad, Julian G. Mishoe, and the other in memory of Marci's Dad, Frank D.Bloodworth, both who had distinquished careers as Fire Chiefs.

Charleston 9 Camaro Competes At Darlington!

On Saturday, September 12, the "Never Forget" Camaro and the MisFire Racing crew traveled to Darlington Dragway to compete in the Ironman Classic race. Transmission problems cut our day short but not before we made several runs. It is an honor for us to continue to display this car as a tribute to the Charleston 9 and to tell their story in their memory.

CFD Retirees Begin Christmas Toy Drive!

The quarterly meeting of the Charleston Firefighter Retirees' "Hooked Up" program was held on Thursday, September 10, at the Visitors' Center in downtown Charleston. Seventy-two people attended to enjoy a good meal and hear Chief John Tippett report on the progress of the department.

The retirees in attendance have begun a toy drive for "Debi's Kids" for the upcoming Christmas season. These retirees worked for many years selling candy and fruit cakes at Christmas to help under-privileged children and decided to help out once again. Debi Chard from Channel 5 will attend the December meeting to accept all of the toys and monetary contributions from the group. Debi has asked that the retirees attend a live remote at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on December 11 to turn in all of the toys collected. Anyone who would like to participate in this drive can donate a new unwrapped toy or write a check made payable to "Debi's Kids" Please call Gerald Mishoe at (843) 609-8300 and we will make arrangements to pick up your donation.