Donate money. Please note that your donation is for the caisson.
The Raleigh Fire Museum is raising money to create a funeral coach caisson for the Raleigh Fire Department. We are converting one of the city’s first Pierce pumpers, a 1989 Pierce Arrow that was donated to the museum in 2017.
The project is being led by retired Captain Tim Duke and retired Master Mechanic Travis Menges. They are donating labor and some materials, but monies are needed for other costs. A goal of $10,000 has been established. The completed truck will be available for funerals of active and retired members of the Raleigh Fire Department.
Background
The idea for the caisson began with Raleigh Fire Department Asst. Chief of Services Phil Woodlief and Captain Tim Duke in the late 2000s. The longtime friends sought to preserve one of the city’s three 1989 Pierce Arrow pumpers, and specifically old Engine 9. The truck and its two twins also had historical value, as they were the first Pierce pumpers purchased for Raleigh.
At the time, the trucks had entered the reserve fleet, but both Woodlief and Duke were thinking ahead. They envisioned two actions at a future time: first, restoring the appearance of the 1989 Pierce to its delivery state. Then later, converting it into a funeral caisson for the Raleigh Fire Department.
In 2012, Duke and his crew at Station 26 restored some of the truck’s appearance for the occasion of the fire department’s centennial anniversary.
Around 2013, old Engine 9 was retired from reserve service and transferred to the training division. About a year later, it was retired from training and assigned to the department’s antique fleet.
In the fall of 2017, ownership was transferred to the Raleigh Fire Museum. The truck was placed in storage, and also used for occasional parade appearances.
In late 2023, the fire museum organized and started a series of capital improvement projects, including the long-planned caisson conversion. The project is being co-led by now-retired Captain Tim Duke and retired Raleigh Fire Master Mechanic Travis Menges. Unfortunately, now-retired Chief Woodlief passed away in 2019. He retired in 2010 after 39 years of service. The caisson will be dedicated to him upon completion.
The Raleigh Fire Museum is raising money for this project. Though labor and some materials are being donated, other materials will need to be purchased. The initial goal is $10,000.
Once completed, the funeral caisson will be available for use by the Raleigh Fire Department, for funerals of members either active or retired.
Thank you for your support!
Donate money. Please note that your donation is for the caisson.
