Old South Engine Foundation Inc.
Our Story Begins...
My wife and I were volunteering at the Chester Fire Department's Fall 2024 Open House in Chester, SC when we learned some interesting news. During the event, we discovered that the department had recently acquired a new fire truck and was auctioning off their old one that same day.
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Curious about the old truck's fate, I inquired with department officials. Sadly, I learned that two individuals were planning to purchase it - one to strip the apparatus box and pump to convert it into a flatbed car hauler, and another to salvage just the motor and transmission, scrapping the rest of the vehicle. This prospect troubled me, as it seemed disrespectful to the truck's history and purpose. This truck had dedicated it's service to protecting the community and in one auction the history would be erased.
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I approached the Fire Chief and asked if a private individual could purchase the truck to preserve it for a beneficial use. The Chief shared the department's idea of converting the truck into a fire prevention education vehicle that could be used to educated local families. However, they had to sell the truck in order to make room for the new fire truck that replaced it. The Chief told they still had the idea and would pobably use their resources to outfit a small towable trailer for fire prevention education, however this was well off in the future.
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Seeing an opportunity to save the truck and support the department's educational initiatives through a private endeavor, I decided to bid on the vehicle at the auction. Fortunately, I was able to secure the 1993 International Crew Cab Fire Engine, known as E-110.
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The Chester Fire Department Unit number was E-110.
"E" for Engine; "1" for being assigned to Station One; "10" to designate it was the 10th unit.
Another feature we found out later that proved worthy of saving this fire truck is that it featured hand-painted gold leaf lettering, rather than adhesive decals - one of the last trucks in the department to do so.
Once we had the truck in our possession, we began thinking about the best way to move forward with this endeavor.
Drawing on my 20+ years of business experience and several years of non-profit leadership experience it was clear we needed to set up a non-profit charitable organization.
As I began looking into the paperwork side of it, Ashley and I began testing names out.
Ashley came up with the final foundation name...Old South Engine Foundation, Inc.
So I filed all the paperwork with the IRS and the State of South Carolina.
In November of 2024 the Old South Engine Foundation, Inc. was approved and recognized as an official 501(c)(3) Non-profit charitable organization.
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Next up...How do we want to help?
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Our Story Continues
Now on to the Mission...
​As we began to evaluate what we wanted to focus on with the Old South Engine Foundation, it was clear that assisting our local fire departments, especially Chester Fire Department, with fire prevention education for families in our hometown of Chester was at the top of the list.
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We envisioned the retired fire truck as a rolling classroom for fire prevention education, carrying all the things to get the message out to local families.
A couple of TV's in the side equipment compartments to show fire prevention videos and presentations, equipment (smoke detectors, carbon dioxide detectors, and fire extinguishers) handouts, tables, chairs, etc.
Everything we would need to conduct fire prevention education, workshops on creating fire safety and escape plans, as well as providing fire prevention kits and safety checklists through the Fire Safe South Carolina initiative.
As I began to think about other meaningful ways that we could provide assistance, I was drawn back to our own experiences in Law Enforcement.
Ashley and I were both in law enforcement over 20 years ago.
Ashley for over 11 years as a certified officer and me for about 5 years as a certified officer and reserve officer.
We know the stresses a first responder faces on a daily basis and the toll it takes on an individual and their family.
We wanted to provide peer support and assist agencies to create peer support programs.
We want first responders to share their experiences and recieve emotional and psycological support from fellow first responders who understand first hand the struggles they face on a daily basis.
Currently, I am attending Lexipol's Cordico Peer Support Training and Certification to facilitate these efforts.
Also we are partnering with NAMI-Piedmont Tri-County to assist with these efforts in the future.
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There are a couple more ideas we have floating around...
Outfit the retired fire truck with coolers and a large slide out grill to visit local fire departments and provide a meal while presenting about the Foundation's efforts as well as introducing the department personel to Peer Support Programs.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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Early on we had supporters with this idea and effort.
Ben Bell, Brady Bell, and Riley Cloud have been massively supportive and helping in many different areas.
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Chief James Jackson, III at the Chester Fire Department was also an early supporter and behind us all the way.
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Long time family friend and York County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant, Robert Wooten, supports the mission and is now on the Old South Engine Foundation as a Director.​​​​
Contact
If you would like to know more or how you can support us, please reach out to us via email.