BINGHAM, ME — April 26 — The Bingham Fire Department showcased its iconic 1968 IH Loadstar American LaFrance fire apparatus, which has been kept in storage since 2015 following years of community service. The truck, which has a 500 CID straight-six gasoline engine, is an example of a type of equipment that rural fire departments in New England frequently employed in the 1960s and 1970s.

According to fire authorities, older equipment still has a significant role in the department's history and shows how emergency response technology has evolved over time.In order to memorialize former firefighters and preserve ties to local fire service customs, several departments in Maine preserve old engines for parades, instructional exhibits, and community gatherings.