The Freedom Engine

By Cecilia Stewart

Edited by Grace Pilkey

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Most of us know about the tragedy that occurred on 9/11. However, have you heard of or remember the Freedom Engine? The Freedom Engine was a fire truck given to the New York City Fire Department to replace the fire trucks that got ruined from the burning and falling buildings. The Freedom Engine was built by Seagrave Fire Apparatus. It went into service during the year 2002 and was dedicated that year.

East Tennessee wanted to do something to help, so our leaders decided to raise money to buy a pumper truck for FDNY. So they started a campaign. The campaign was sponsored by many people including Knoxville Fire Department and Rural/Metro, News-Sentinel, The City Of Knoxville, WBIR-TV 10, First Tennessee Bank, and Journal Broadcasting. Individual schools throughout East Tennessee took up money to help raise the donations. The goal was to raise about $400,000 to purchase a new pumper truck. The people of East Tennessee raised way more money than expected. They raised over $940,000! Instead of a pumper truck, it was decided to purchase and equip a 95-foot tower ladder truck.

The Freedom Engine was stationed at Harlem-based Ladder Company 14, otherwise known as “Heaven In Harlem”. As FDNY policy, the truck was only in service for about 10 years then they retired the Freedom Engine. With the truck’s retirement, there were several artifacts from the Freedom Engine donated back to East Tennessee such as the bucket door, a captain’s helmet, and a memorial plaque. These reminders of East Tennessee’s generosity and willingness to do what we could during a horrific time can be seen in The Museum of East Tennessee History 601 S. Gay St. in Knoxville. Thank you to everyone who gave and a big thank you to the firefighters who saved lives.

Link to the artifacts online: http://www.easttnhistory.org/exhibits/freedom-engine