About Gary Gault
My uncle was the Fire and Police Chief 30 years before my own
father took over as Fire Chief for the Village of Seven Mile for 30 years. When I was 12 yrs. old, my two older brothers
and I would respond to fire runs, answering the old volunteer fire siren. During the day, more times
than I can remember, my uncle, dad, brothers, and I would be the
only ones around to go on the run.
When my father retired in 1991, I was appointed Fire Chief and held that position until I retired in June 2008.
In 1964, when I was 17, a friend and good neighbor, Robert Weber, asked another friend and I to help him unload a collection of unrecognizable, anitique parts from a trailer. My neighbor told me it was a 1917 Model TT fire truck found through a friend-of-a-friend, who had taken it a part to restore it but passed away before that could happen. His widow ultimately just wanted to get of the truck.
Hauling it home from Colorado cost more than the heap of parts! Mr. Weber said that we could help him put it together when he got to it. He already had 13 antique vehicles at the time and was a busy man. I immediately told Mr. Weber if he ever wanted to sell or get rid of this pile of parts that I wanted it.
In 2005 he surprised me and said if I still wanted the 1917 Model TT Howell fire pumper in 1000 pieces I could have it! I was happy to accept this much welcomed project. It took a full year to bring all the parts to my garage from my neighbor's. All of that time and effort led to another surprise: I found every nut, bolt gear, and nozzle.
The cleaning and refurbishing of every part took place. The motor and transmission were rebuilt. The assembly went on from 2005 until 2009. The antique Model TT was finally parade ready!
In 1968, I married Mary Ann. We have two daughters and three beautiful grandchildren. Seven Mile has been our home for our entire lives.
The Seven Mile Fire Department has a 1924 antique fire
truck—they have owned it since it was new. Our fire department always
attended the annual Antique Parade in Hamilton-Fairfield. It was at one of these events that I
learned about the MVAFAA. In
2004 a
member of the club invited my fire department to come to Germantown. I
have been member of the MVAFAA since 2006 and have served as a
Trustee.
Our Collection
30 nozzles dating from 1900-1940
50 fire helmets
60 books relating to the fire service
2 fire bells
2 alarm boxes
6 red lights from the 1950s
2 fire extinguisher lamps
8 brass fire extinguishers
I am looking for lanterns for my 1917 truck.
Contact me at magglg@hotmail.com.
In
1924 the Village of Seven Mile purchased a 1924 Dodge- Graham 1-ton
fire truck. It was built by Sutphen and originally cost $5,000. It was
equipped with a 500-gpm Prospect rotary gear pump, 1200' of 2-1/2"
hose, 4 fire helmets, and few other accessories. The truck was in service until 1949 when the village purchased a 1949 Ford American pumper. The 1924 truck was the reserve pumper until the fire association purchased a tanker truck and traded titles with the village council. This action ensured that the coucil could not sell the 1924 truck. From that time on, the fire association has taken great care of this treasure. To this date the Seven Mile Volunteer Fire Department-Life Squad consists of 26 members, a KME pumper, Midwest pump-tanker, rescue truck, 2 life squads, and a 4x4 pick-up truck. The fire association has been with the MVAFAA since 2004 when BoB McClain invited us to the Germantown Muster. |
