A group of Warrnambool CFA members and volunteers are restoring a 1942 American-made K4 International pumper, originally used by the Country Fire Brigade Board.
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A core group of 12 people has worked on the truck for more than 10 years, trying to get it back into its original condition.
Retiring Warrnambool CFA officer in charge Paul Marshall said the project was first discussed in 2003 but didn't get rolling properly until a vehicle was bought in 2006.
"The idea first came up because we used to borrow an old truck from time-to-time for firefighters' funerals," Mr Marshall said.
"We thought it would be great to get a truck and restore it so the brigade would have their own vehicle for community events and funerals."
A truck was located with the help of former station head Henry Barton, and in 2006 it was relocated from the Dandenong Ranges to Warrnambool.
"The truck was brought back to Warrnambool with the help of the Melbourne Fire Museum and we eventually got the use of a shed at Fonterra and the restoration began."
"It has taken over 10 years to get it where it is today."
A big push was made to finish the restoration when Warrnambool CFA volunteer Matt O'Neill died earlier this year. Mr O'Neill had spent some time working on the truck, and his dad Brendan O'Neill requested the truck for the funeral.
"Brendan was one of the key people working on the truck," Mr Marshall said.
"We were probably 95 per cent done, everybody pulled together and worked feverishly to get it over the line."
The group had one stroke of luck during the process, which Mr Marshall described as a "complete rebuild".
"Tom Woodhams, one of the key members, came across (another truck) in a local paddock which was a godsend because there were some key parts we were missing and weren't able to source," Mr Marshall said.
"The farmer was very generous and donated the truck to the brigade.
"Even the gearbox was used, it's been a great asset to us.
"There are still some things for us to do, some of the ancillary equipment needs to be polished up and mounted, then it will be good to go."
The restored vehicle will now be used by the Warrnambool CFA as a display showpiece at community events.
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