West Allis Fire Department buys back historic fire engine

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A piece of history is back with the West Allis Fire Department. 

Last year we told you how the department was trying to buy back an old fire truck. The engine is a 1930 Peter Pirsche.

The department used it up until the 1970's when it was auctioned off. It wound up in the hands of a collector who decided to downsize and asked the West Allis Fire Department if they'd want to buy it back.

The department says this engine's fire-battling days are long over.

"Well this one's not going to be used for firefighting. This one's more of a knick knack that we're going to put on the shelf."

"We're gonna use it for public relations events and public education," said Chief Mason Pooler. "So we'll take it out into the community for things like teaching CPR, installing smoke alarms in different neighborhoods, things of that nature."

The department bought the engine for $7,500 in 1930. They bought it back for $14,900.