2006: Old Hannibal fire truck has new life in Louisiana

The snorkle truck was used to fight a fire in the 200 block of Broadway during January 1969. Next to the snorkle truck is the Old General, circa 1936, which was still being used as a backup. HANNIBAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARCHIVES. COURIER-POST PHOTO

Hannibal Courier-Post (MO) - Thursday, September 7, 2006

Author: MARY LOU, MONTGOMERY

When the Hannibal Fire Department took possession of an International snorkel truck in 1967, it was state-of-the-art fire fighting equipment. Today, the snorkel truck has a new home and a new life, thanks to the generosity of sprit exhibited by the city of Hannibal. Members of the Louisiana Fire Department arrived in Hannibal Wednesday afternoon to take possession of the truck. Along with the gift of a truck came practical advice and instruction by Hannibal's veteran fire firefighters on how to operate the larger-than-life unit that has served Hannibal so well for 39 years. The Hannibal City Council authorized the donation at Tuesday night's regular meeting, according to Hannibal Fire Chief Gene Dryden. Dryden and Mike Lesley, chief of the Louisiana department, were on hand for the demonstration in front of Fire Station No. 1 on South Fourth Street. Also participating were Kelly Henry, engineer, and Bill Sterne, medical officer and certified truck driver, both with the Louisiana department. Offering instruction from the Hannibal crew were John Dean, Chuck Dawdy, Tim Carter and Jeff Frame. Louisiana operates a 20-member squad with one paid employee. Chief Lesley has been with the department for 14 years. The department has been hoping to obtain a snorkel truck for some time, Lesley said. Several years ago Charlie Boyd, who now serves as safety officer for the Louisiana department, walked across the state in order to raise money - and awareness - for an aerial truck. Boyd trained on the snorkel during a visit to Hannibal last week. "The more people we have familiar with the truck, the better off we are," Lesley said.