The Warrior—Wylie, TX, Fire Rescue’s Sutphen fire engine purchased new in July 1992—has been removed from the front line, but its mission will continue in a new, equally noble role: acting as a caisson for firefighter funerals and as a parade vehicle.
A fitting name and new tradition
The engine was originally loaded with equipment that, although fairly standard today, represented a significant improvement in Wylie Fire Rescue’s early-1990s arsenal. As the firefighters who had mounted the equipment stepped back and admired it, then-Fire Chief Shan English remarked, “That truck looks like a real warrior.”
The name caught on, and the Warrior—outfitted with its deck gun, positive-pressure fan, additional fire extinguishers mounted on the front bumper, fire-suppression foam, additional hoselines, EMS equipment and Jaws of Life—has been part of the WFR fleet ever since.
In its early days, the Warrior was known to all school kids. The heroic name was emblazoned on the front, and the engine was on hand at all Wylie fire safety shows and events.
“Many of those kids are now adults and still ask about the Warrior,” said Battalion Chief James Brown. “Since its name seemed to be part of its appeal, we decided to name every major apparatus. We wanted to involve the community, so every new truck since the Warrior has been named by school kids.”
Each time a new truck is purchased, a naming contest is held, and the winner is treated to a party for their class and photos with the truck.
Serving the community
The engine first served Wylie’s volunteer firefighters, then part-time firefighters, then Wylie’s first paid firefighters, as the agency grew along with the community. In 1990, the city population was approximately 8,700. Today it’s over 50,000.
The Warrior was the department’s primary engine until the first Quint was put in service in early 1996. It rotated to Engine 2 when the city’s second fire station opened in 1998, and then became the primary reserve vehicle in 1999, when the next Quint was purchased.
The Warrior served as a reserve apparatus until recently, when it became time to think about retirement. However, due to its historical significance to the department and community, it was decided that the Warrior would be converted and assume a new function. In addition to providing a fitting tribute to fallen firefighters during funerals, it will also enable the department to honor more of the ever-increasing parade requests.
Transformation time
Members of the department were in charge of designing how the vehicle could be renovated to best suit its new needs, and Peformax Trailers of Wylie was tasked with the transformation. The total for the retrofit would be over $7,500, which was generously provided by the agency’s support group, Friends of Wylie Fire Rescue.
The transformation included removing the rear hose and hosebed, along with the 750-gallon water tank that had to be lifted out with a crane. The rear Redline hose reel was removed, body-color diamond plate aluminum sheets were installed to cover the interior walls of the passenger area, and wood floor was installed and braced. Fold-up bench seats were added to each side of the rear passenger area, and custom walk-up ramps, stored in specially designed on-board compartments, were manufactured for funeral duties. The casket roller system, which can be locked in when needed and removed and stored when the vehicle is in parade mode, was added, and rear-axle springs were adjusted to soften the ride after removal of all the additional weight of the tank, water and hose.
Making its debut
The Warrior debuted its new role during Wylie’s annual Christmas parade on Dec. 8. Friends of Wylie Fire Rescue board members and their families were invited to be the first to ride.
“We’re so grateful for their generosity in making this conversion possible and helping us give new life to the Warrior, an important part of Wylie Fire Rescue’s history,” Brown said. “It may not be first in the line of duty anymore, but the Warrior is still a vital part of Wylie Fire Rescue’s tradition and continues to play a valuable role in the community.”
