New Ulm Fire Chief Paul Macho said the fire truck had been purchased in 1969 for $49,000. From there, it served the city in putting out fires until 1992. It was then replaced by a 1992 Seagraves fire truck and went into storage. Chief Macho said it then sat and took up space in the fire department, and needed to be moved somewhere else.

“The fire department donated it to the Minneapolis Fire Museum at the time,” he said. “After several years, the Minneapolis Fire Museum folded its tent. The contents went in a bunch of different directions. And thank goodness Tim Smith rescued this from the backyard and took excellent care of it.”

Waterville councilman and St. Louis Park firefighter Tim Smith was in attendance to share his side of the story. He said he has always been a collector of old things and an avid member of the Minnesota Fire Engine Club. It was through this connection he learned of the 1969 Pirsch Aerial.

“We had several members who were directors of the old fire museum,” Smith said. “When the museum folded, some of the trucks ended up in private hands. They were storing them intending to bring the museum back. It didn’t happen. I was lucky enough to come across this in the backyard of one of our directors. He needed to get rid of it.”

Waterville councilman and firefighter Tim Smith (left) accepts a proclamation from Mayor Kathleen Backer (right) which designated Dec. 19, 2023 as 1969 Pirsch Aerial Firetruck Day. Smith inquired about donating the firetruck back to the city after having drove it in the Bavarian Blast parade for several years.

Smith said he was lucky enough to where he only needed to pay for a few parts and the creation of a title. From 2006 to mid-2023, Smith kept the truck maintained and in its original condition. He said he has not re-painted or restored it, as there are New Ulm firemen’s names and markings on there he could not gloss over.

“Every mark on there has a story behind it,” he said.

After Smith finished recounting the story, Mayor Backer read a proclamation that designated Dec. 19, 2023, 1969 Pirsch Aerial Fire Truck Day in the city of New Ulm. The proclamation recounted how Smith had rescued the truck from underneath a tarp in someone’s backyard and had driven it for several years in the Bavarian Blast parade. Backer thanked Smith for returning the piece to where it had served for decades.

“As a council member in my town, I understand the importance of things like this,” Smith said.

The truck will now enter New Ulm’s collection of antique fire trucks. The collection includes trucks from as far back as the 1920s and 30s. The donation was unanimously approved at Tuesday’s City Council meeting on a motion from Councilman Dave Christian and seconded by Councilman Eric Warmka. The next City Council meeting will be Jan. 2, 2024.