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On December 7, 1923 a piece of Manchester Fire Department history was placed in service. It was a 1922 Ahrens Fox Model KS-4 and was considered the finest fire truck of its time. One of eight owned by the city, and one of only four still in existence, it was assigned to the Maple Street Fire Station as Engine 8, where it served and protected the great city of Manchester until sometime into the late 1950’s.

Since then it has changed hands several times until finally landing in Marlboro, New Jersey where it is currently owned and cared for by Bob Maddox. In 1975 “The Fox” was completely restored to its original grandeur, after which it has been kept indoors except for the occasions when it was displayed at a variety of shows throughout New York and New Jersey. “The Fox” has taken home several trophies for “Best in Show.”

In an effort to recapture this proud piece of Manchester Fire Department history, a committee has been formed to “Bring Home the Fox.” Its goal is to purchase the fire truck and have it shipped back to the city where it started its noble service. The committee would like to see “The Fox” temporarily stored at the present Manchester Fire Department Station 8, with the hope to eventually relocate the truck back to its original station on Maple Street which is owned by the city.

The drive behind “Bring Home the Fox” is the fact that the City of Manchester is losing precious icons of its history. The fire service is rich in honor and tradition, and it is nothing short of travesty that we choose not to remember and preserve the buildings and apparatus of our distinguished fire department. The razing of the old Station 10 on Weston Street, one of the last original firehouses in the city, certainly follows that trend.

“The Fox” gave three decades of service to this great city of ours; now it is time for us to give respectful service to the caring of “The Fox.”

In the past few months several donors have asked us what the “Fox” will be used for once it is returned to the City. After some careful consideration and debate the Board of Directors has come up tentative plan for use. The first consideration for use is that in no way will the truck be used for any political or non-educational event. One of the primary uses will be for education to school children in the Manchester School system. And last but not least is during the holiday seasons is to bring the jolly old saint nick to different neighborhoods in the City of Manchester. This is just the highlights of our intentions for the use of this piece of Manchester history

The estimated cost to “Bring Home the Fox” is $45,000. The committee is a non-profit corporation and any and all donations are sincerely appreciated and are tax deductible (Tax ID #20-5405197). Checks can be sent and made payable to Bring Home the Fox, P.O. Box 4568, Manchester, NH, 03108. For more information contact either Paul Bolieau at 603.669.8087, or Any Biron at 603.396.8993.

We cannot do this alone. But together, we can bring “The Fox” home.