A small group of retired and volunteer firefighters in Wilmot Township is working to reconnect the community with a treasured piece of its past. Through a newly launched fundraising campaign, members of the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades are seeking to bring a rare and historic fire truck — a 1948 Ford F155 Bickle Seagrave — back to the place it once served for three decades: New Hamburg.
The truck, long removed from Ontario, is currently part of a private collection in Alberta. With the owner’s passing and the collection changing hands, a rare opportunity emerged to return the vehicle to Wilmot, where it would be preserved, restored, and eventually displayed as a significant historical artifact within the township’s fire museum.
What began as a conversation has now become a full-scale community effort to reclaim an important symbol of local firefighting heritage.
A Fire Engine With Deep Roots in New Hamburg
The 1948 Ford F155 Bickle Seagrave is more than just an old emergency vehicle—it is a relic of a different era in emergency services, a time when equipment was rugged, mechanically simple, and essential to protecting small-town Ontario.
First placed into service in 1948, the truck served the New Hamburg Fire Department as the town’s Station #1 pumper. For 30 years, it responded to fires and emergencies, becoming a familiar sight on local roads and a trusted tool for generations of firefighters. It remained in service until 1978, a remarkable run that reflects both its durability and the town’s reliance on it.
After being retired, the truck was sold and passed between several owners, eventually making its way out west. For years, it remained stored indoors as part of a private museum collection in Alberta, protected from the elements but far from its original home.
Now, efforts are underway to reverse that journey.
Family Reaches Out After Collector’s Passing
According to Peter Gingerich, president of the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades, the initiative to bring the truck back began when the family of the deceased Alberta collector reached out to the organization directly.
“When the collector passed away, the family contacted us to see if we would be interested in taking the truck,” said Gingerich. “They knew it had historical significance to Wilmot and New Hamburg, and they wanted it to go back to where it truly belongs.”
That outreach sparked the idea of returning the vehicle to the community. For Gingerich and other members of the Brigades, the thought of a New Hamburg fire engine sitting thousands of kilometres away felt wrong. Instead, they saw a chance to revive a tangible part of local history and share it with the next generation.
The goal, Gingerich explained, is clear: bring the truck back to Wilmot and ensure it is restored, preserved, and made roadworthy once more.
Commitment to Full Restoration and Safety
While the truck has been kept in relatively good condition over the years, time and travel take a toll on any vintage vehicle. Before the Ford F155 can be displayed or used in public events, it must undergo a thorough inspection and restoration.
“When we do bring it home, we want to have it completely gone over, including a complete safety check,” Gingerich said. “It will be 100 per cent road worthy, licensed and insured so we can put it onto the highways.”
This means mechanical evaluations, brake and pump inspections, electrical checks, structural verification, and remediation of any wear tied to aging. The work is critical not only for preservation but for safety if the truck is to participate in parades, educational displays, or community ceremonies.
Restoring such a vehicle requires expertise and funding — two things the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades are working hard to secure through public support.
Fundraising Efforts Gain Early Momentum
To help cover transportation and restoration costs, the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades launched a GoFundMe page along with additional private fundraising efforts. The community response has been encouraging.
As of November 30, more than $4,000 had already been donated by supporters who believe in preserving local history. Donations have come not only from current Wilmot residents, but also from former community members, firefighters, and history enthusiasts who understand the importance of safeguarding heritage.
Each contribution brings the truck one step closer to returning home.
Funds raised will be used to cover:
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Transportation of the truck from Alberta to Ontario
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Mechanical inspection and repair work
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Safety modifications, where required
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Licensing and insurance
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Long-term storage and preservation
Once returned to Wilmot, the truck will initially be placed in secure storage until restoration work can be completed.
A Museum Dedicated to Firefighting History
The Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades organization has been operating for more than 30 years and has built an impressive collection of firefighting artifacts that span more than a century of history.
Located in Baden, the museum displays hundreds of rare and historic items, including:
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Antique helmets
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Vintage firefighting uniforms
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Hand-pulled pumpers from the 1920s
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Old extinguishers and hoses
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Badges and equipment from early fire brigades
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Yellow fire trucks from the 1970s and 1980s
Each item tells a story about how firefighting has evolved over time. From hand-drawn carts to motorized pumpers like the 1948 Ford, the collection represents the dedication and bravery of those who protected the community long before modern equipment existed.
The addition of the Ford F155 Bickle Seagrave would significantly strengthen the museum’s historical timeline, representing a pivotal period in post-war emergency services.
Waiting for Spring to Make the Move
Timing is also playing a role in the project’s progress. The Alberta museum housing the truck has closed for the season and will not reopen until spring. Once it does, arrangements can be finalized for inspection, transport, and transition of ownership.
In the meantime, the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades continue to build awareness and raise funds so they can act quickly when the opportunity to move the vehicle becomes available.
Community support over the coming months will determine how quickly the truck can be brought home and how extensive the restoration efforts can be.
Preserving History for Future Generations
More than anything, the push to return this fire truck is about education and remembrance. For today’s children and future residents of Wilmot, the restored engine will be a hands-on link to the past — a physical reminder of the people, technology, and community spirit that shaped the township decades ago.
It will also serve as a tribute to the firefighters who once rode it into danger, tools and courage being their strongest allies.
“When it comes back, it will be more than a vehicle,” Gingerich said. “It will be a piece of Wilmot history that people can see, touch, and learn from.”
A Community United by Its Past
The effort to bring home the 1948 Ford F155 Bickle Seagrave demonstrates the power of shared history. It shows how a community, large or small, can rally around its identity, honour its roots, and ensure that important stories are never forgotten.
As the Wilmot Heritage Fire Brigades continue their work, they are not just restoring a truck. They are restoring a connection — to service, to memory, and to a proud legacy of protecting neighbours in times of need.
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