68-Year-Old Historic Fire Truck Donated By Bridgewater Firefighters To Museum

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — After 68 years of serving the Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company, the historic Diamond T fire truck will soon be getting a new life.

The fire company donated the truck to the New Jersey Fire Museum and Memorial in Allentown on Saturday to be restored and placed on display for everyone to enjoy.

However, the decision to donate the truck was not an easy one.

60-year member Mike Lomasto, who was among the last members to ride the truck while in service, commented on the donation.

"I feel good about it because I know it is not going to be rotting here. The [firefighters] that passed away. We were a group together and I always found a way to take care of that truck," said Lomasto. "I promised them I would look out for the truck... I think this is the best thing to do."

The 1957 Diamond T fire truck came to the fire department back when they were located on Brahma Avenue in the Township.

The truck's last day in service was in 1985. The truck was stored for a while in one of the fire station's bays until there was a need for room to store water rescue boats.

The truck was then moved outside and placed under a canopy. The department firefighters continued to do maintenance on it to keep it going for as long as they could. The truck was used over the years for parades, Santa events, and funeral processions for volunteer firefighters.

The last time the truck was used outside of service was in 2013.

Deputy Chief Charlie Gill was one of the last mechanics to work on the truck.

"I always worked on the brakes and getting the engine running," said Gill.

However, the cost to continue to maintain the truck and especially to repair the old-style brake line was too much for the volunteer department.

Taxpayer money does help cover the equipment needed to run the fire department. However, any costs associated with the fire station itself have to be raised by the fire department.

"The cost is a lot to restore. I mean with the firehouse, it does cost a lot of money trying to keep it stored and everything and maintenance and all of that," said Gill.

Michelle DeLorenzo, President of the Executive Officers for the department, said they did try looking into grants, checking with the Somerset County Historical Society.

"We just kind of were at a dead end until we found this museum, and that's when they decided it makes sense since they're going to fix and restore it," said DeLorenzo.

The NJ Fire Museum is run by volunteers who have a passion for history and share it with anyone who wants to learn about the history of fire fighting.

Laura Bogemann, Secretary of the Executive Board for the museum, said once they were contacted about the truck they came out to see it and immediately wanted it.

"We like things below the year 1990, we like the older trucks, "said Bogemann. "This one is perfect. It is restorable in that they can shine that up. They can make it look good... But these are the kind of trucks, especially a Diamond T, we don't have any Diamond Ts."

The museum will restore the fire truck for free and then put it on display for everyone to see. Additionally, Bradley Gardens can still request for the truck to be brought back to them if they need it for special events.

"I figured it was a better place for it to go, and see it be back to its glory days from back from 1957," said Gill of donating their truck.

The museum at 4 Polhemustown Rd in Allentown, NJ, is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays. and offers an assortment of donated vintage fire apparatus. For more information, tickets, or to donate to the musuem visit njfiremuseum.org or facebook.com/NJFireMuseumandFFMemorial or instagram.com/njfiremuseumandffmemorial.

New Truck and Installation

On Saturday, the fire company also welcomed its new E-One Typhoon Pumper. They also held their first ever luncheon for the fire company where they installed Line and Executive Officers, held awards, and gave gifts.

Member of the Year - Robert Mihalov
Firefighter of the Year - Phil Langon

Top 5 Responders
1. Deputy Chief Charlie Gill
2. Captain Joey DeFilippis
3. Asst. Engineer/EMT George Bizos
4. Chief Engineer Phil Langon
5. 2nd Lt. Cesar Abella

Top Cadet/Junior Responder
Junior FF/EMT Nick Dysko

20 Years of Service
Chief Chris DeLorenzo

5 Years of Service
FF Brian O’Donnell

Line Officers
Chief - Chris DeLorenzo
Deputy Chief - Charlie Gill
Captain - Joey DeFilippis
1st Lt. - Connor Rosseland
2nd Lt. - Cesar Abella
Chief Engineer - Phil Langon

Executive Officers
President - Michelle DeLorenzo
Vice President - Ken Zielaznicki
Secretary - Rob Hanlon
Treasurer - Cesar Abella
Sgt. At Arms - Mike Marsigliano
Trustees - Mike Lamastro, Jamie Brown, Charlie Gill, Ron Hazen, and Connor Rosseland

Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company is entirely volunteer-run and always looking for new members. If interested in volunteering, message the fire company's Facebook page at facebook.com/bgvfc21 or call 908-725-1250.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.