| Owen Olsen, Cleveland Mayor Chris Parkins, and Cleveland City Councilman Greg Oliver at the Cleveland 24th celebration. |
What’s happens to little red fire engines when big red fire engines come in and replace them. Owen Olsen wrote a story four years ago about this very thing. His daughter in law Natalie Olsen read the story of Jasper the fire engine to those gathered at the family barbeque in Cleveland on July 24.
Sometimes old fire engines are put out to pasture or sold for junk and sometimes they are restored and placed in museums.
Cleveland City Councilman Greg Oliver honored Olsen for his contributions to the Cleveland fire department. Olsen was a fire department member for 20 years and the fire chief for 15. In honor of this dedication and commitment to the safety of the Cleveland and Elmo communities, the city council presented Olsen with his very own fire engine. It’s a 1945 Dodge which served Cleveland well during its years in service.
Hazel McMullin remembers a time when Cleveland only had one fire engine and she would drive the engine to the fire and then the fire chief would show up to put out the fire. A call would come into the store and then calls would be made to locate the fire chief who was usually out in a field working.
He would get to the fire as soon as he could and get it put out. Things have come a long way over the years with the advancements and the new equipment Cleveland has been able to acquire.
Most recently they acquired extracation equipment that allows them to remove mangled metal to get to the victims inside. Cleveland takes care of the extracation needs for the northern end of Emery County. Greg Oliver also serves as Cleveland fire chief right now as well as on the city council.
Olsen was visibly touched to receive this fire engine. He promised to make sure it is driven in the Cleveland parade each year and he might get it ready for other county parades as well.