Our 1951 Mack

History

In 1951, Packanack Lake Fire Company #5 was 9 years young and after operating with two donated “hand-me-down” fire trucks, money was raised to purchase a new apparatus, a 1951 Mack Model 75-A pumper. This truck served Co. #5 from 1951 to 1966 when it was replaced with a larger pumper truck. After leaving Packanack Lake, the ’51 Mack saw service as a fire brigade pumper for the General Electric plant in Lynn, Massachusetts. It then made it’s way to Vermont, residing at a saw mill, another volunteer fire company, and finally at a farm–having never been placed in service again.

Lost & Found

In April 2007 the current owner of the Mack, needing space in his Vermont barn, tracked down Co. #5 as the original owner and called to ask if we wanted the truck back. Although we weren’t looking for an antique to restore, we could not pass up the opportunity to reclaim our first new apparatus. We feel the ’51 Mack represents Co. #5’s commitment to tradition and our dedication & service to the community. The Mack honors not only the history of Fire Co. #5 but also of Packanack Lake itself.

Restoration

After several years of restoration and fundraisers, with tremendous support by the community, the fully restored 1951 Mack returned home to the firehouse once again. The entire community came out to welcome it and a special bay was built on the side of the firehouse to display the newly restored piece of history.

*To raise the necessary funds to restore the ’51 Mack and build an additional display bay, we have conducted various fundraisers. No money collected during our annual fund drive was used for this purpose.