Jan. 17, 2023 A 30-year fire department veteran, Steve Montoya, recently refurbished a truck and drives it to firefighters’ funerals.
Source Firehouse.com News
As many departments across the nation, Denver used horses to get apparatus to the fire scene.
When Denver Station 1 was built in 1909, the beasts were instrumental. They’re gone, but the building where they once were stands with a treasure trove of memorabilia.
“The fire house itself is just something that’s very cherished,” long time firefighter Steve Montoya told a reporter. .
After 30 years on the nozzle, Steve has spent much of the past decade honoring his fellow firefighters at the Denver Firefighters Museum.
“There’s an old saying, ‘Once a Marine always a Marine.’ Same with firefighters. You know, it’s something you never leave.”
He’s doing much more than giving tours and sharing stories about the big ones.
He rebuilt EO4, replacing the motor and transmission among other things. He now drives the museum’s pride and joy to funerals.
“Guys that are passing away at this point in time were on the job when I was hired. They taught me to be a firefighter, so I’m giving back to them and their families by doing this.”
Former museum director Angela Rayne says: “I think it means all the world to him. It’s the last ride. And that’s one of the most important things.”
Steve, Angela and the other volunteers are at the museum every Tuesday.