Smokey, Easton Fire Department’s 1935 Ford pumper truck, at Borderland State Park in Easton after it was restored by Lt. Jason Healey, Easton resident Chuck Hurley and Capt. Larry Blye. (Photo courtesy Easton Fire Department) 
Easton Fire Lt. Jason Healey who had the idea to restore Smokey. (Photo courtesy Easton Fire Department)
EASTON — Chief Kevin Partridge is pleased to share that members of the department have restored an antique fire pumper truck named “Smokey.”
The restoration project was initiated by Lt. Jason Healey who saw the engine in Easton Fire Station 1 when he joined the department a few years ago. Smokey, a 1935 Ford pumper truck was an old fire engine which was later used as a brush truck in the 1970s and as an attraction for schools and parades.
Given his interest in antique cars, Lt. Healey wanted to restore the truck and enlisted the help of Easton resident Chuck Hurley and Easton Fire Capt. Larry Blye. They began by fixing the engine’s broken fuel pump at Hurley’s business, Scoreboard Enterprises in Mansfield. After repairing the fuel pump, the truck ran once again. They also restored the wood on the sides along with several other parts of the truck.
The restoration began in February and was completed at the end of June. Given that much of the work took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lt. Healey, Hurley and Capt. Blye used masks and gloves and practiced social distancing while completing the restoration project.
Following the restoration, Smokey runs once again and is in safe operating condition. The department plans to keep the engine well-maintained and stored at Easton Fire Station 1 on Lothrop Street. It will be used in parades, at department events and for school visits and other fire safety education events.
“It’s great to see a unique piece of Easton Fire Department history restored and we’re looking forward to showing it off at community events in the future,” Chief Partridge said. “We greatly appreciate Chuck Hurley who spent many hours assisting in the restoration. Lt. Healey also did an excellent job organizing the project, and both he and Capt. Blye also gave a lot of their time to the restoration. We’re proud to have the engine back in working order.”
The department recently presented Hurley with a plaque in appreciation for his time and efforts in restoring Smokey.
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