Williamsburg Fire Department received the Society For The Preservation & Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus In America (SPAAMFAA) National Preservation Award on Friday, July 12 for its efforts to preserve and maintain Engine 3, the department said in a Facebook post.
Engine 3 is a 1949 Mack, still operational, that has been a staple in the Williamsburg community for many decades. It is often featured in local ceremonies, events, and parades, such as the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Williamsburg. Engine 3 is on display in the museum space of the Williamsburg Fire Station.
Thomas Herman, president of the Old Dominion Historical Fire Society, which is the Virginia chapter of SPAAMFAA, presented the award to Fire Chief Larry Snyder Jr. and the department in a ceremony at the Williamsburg Fire Station. Vice Mayor Pat Dent joined the department to accept the award.
“It is our honor and privilege to preserve this historical apparatus for the Williamsburg community,” Chief Snyder said.
Old Dominion Historical Fire Society nominated the department for this honor, and only a few nominations are approved each year.
During the ceremony, Herman also gifted the department with a period-appropriate hose nozzle to complete a Wirt & Knox hose cart already on display in the museum. The hose cart likely dates to the early to mid-20th century, though its provenance is currently unknown.
SPAAMFAA is a nonprofit educational organization of people dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of antique fire apparatus. There are 50 regional chapters nationwide with about 2,500 members.
