Greenwood Friends School

Students at Greenwood Friends School greeted the newest member of their community when Jeannette, a 1965 Mack fire engine, made her first appearance on campus. 

The big red Greenwood fire engine arrives 

Children from preschool through 8th grade enjoyed the chance to inspect all sides of the school's new rolling ambassador, including the inside of the cab.  While some of the admirers will not have their driver's licenses until 2019, they nonetheless appreciated the great differences between Jeannette and their usual rides, especially the huge steering wheel and the air horns.

School parents and board members Rejena Girton and Oren Helbok conceived of using the fire engine as a public relations vehicle for the school when they learned that the then-owner, Bloomsburg Fire Department Assistant Chief Bob Baigis, had placed the engine for sale.  All of us at Greenwood Friends School thank Mr. Baigis for helping us acquire this big red piece of history.  In becoming a visible presence throughout our area, this diesel-powered truck offers the school the opportunity to start a demonstration project in the use of biodiesel fuels: Many members of the school community will work on converting Jeannette to burn 100% vegetable oil as a substitute for petroleum-based fuel.

Oren's wife, potter Sara Baker of Unityville, realized the potential positive effects of such an "outside-the-box" acquisition, and she happily helped purchase the engine, which, in common with her Ford station wagon, has a five-speed manual transmission.  Sara has not yet learned to drive this one, though: As with most larger vehicles, Jeannette's transmission does not have synchronizing gears.  Nor does the truck have power steering, AM/FM radio, air conditioning, or cup holders.  She does have a wonderfully loud mechanical siren and flashing red lights, as well as a fully-functioning 1000-gallons-per-minute water pump.

Built by Mack Trucks in Allentown in 1965, the engine served in the City of Jeannette in western Pennsylvania for more than three decades before retirement.  Bob Baigis then bought her and brought her to our area as a hobby vehicle, driving in local parades.  Greenwood honors the engine's history, and the heroic firefighters who served with her, by naming the engine for her former home.  The right side of the cab sports a plaque honoring Francis Bigi, a long-time Jeannette firefighter, and that plaque will remain.

When warmer weather arrives this spring and parade season starts, look for Jeannette in your hometown.  All of us at Greenwood Friends School look forward to seeing you!