KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – An antique fire truck purchased by the city of Klamath Falls in 1931 has been restored to running condition by volunteers working for the Klamath County Museum.

The truck will make an appearance in the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11.

“More than 90 years since this truck first entered service, it’s coming back as a tribute to all firefighters who have served the community,” said museum director Todd Kepple. “We’re grateful to our talented volunteers who got the engine running again.”


Also appearing in the parade next week will be a fire engine that was used for many years on the Klamath Indian Agency near Fort Klamath.

The old city fire truck is a 1931 American LaFrance pumper. It had been kept running by the fire department even after it was retired from service. The engine was transferred to Klamath County Fire District No. 1 when the two departments merged in 1994.

Severe damage to the engine forced the truck to be parked for several years.

Fire District No. 1 donated the truck to the museum earlier this year. Gloria Storey, chairwoman of the fire district board and a devoted fan of the truck’s preservation, signed the agreement turning the truck over to the museum.

Museum volunteer Terry Sandusky, who has helped the museum restore several antique vehicles, led the fire truck repair project.

An engine salvaged from an old dump truck donated by Liskey Farms was installed in the fire truck. New wiring and repairs to other systems were completed over the summer.

Other volunteers who assisted in the project were Gary Bauereis, Dave Doveri, Guy Jakubowski, Ron Sandusky and Vince Wachter.

An agreement between the museum and the fire district allows either organization to display the truck at public events.

Terry Sandusky also led the effort to get the Klamath Agency truck running in 2023. The 1943 International was donated to the museum in 1986, but was not in running condition at the time. It sat idle behind the museum until last year.

Kepple said funds donated to the museum are used to cover special projects such as restoration of the fire trucks. No taxpayer funds are used for the projects.

Both trucks will appear in the parade that begins at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11.

Klamath County Museum volunteers Vince Wachter, Ron Sandusky and Terry Sandusky stand beside an antique fire truck they repaired.

The museum’s 1931 American LaFrance fire truck is seen at center in this historic photo of the Klamath Falls fire station at Broad and Wall streets.