Marchem CFI's Softouch chosen to help preserve historic firetruck
A not-for-profit organization, MacBoston Truck, located in the Albany, New York area, whose mission is "to keep the memory alive of all firefighters who have died in the line of duty or as a result of a line of duty accident and to promote firefighter safety through education". The organization owns several fire trucks that are used for parades, educational purposes and memorial services for fallen comrades.
Mister Sew-N-Sew Custom Canvas, located in nearby Ballston Lake, New York, was contacted by an officer of the organization to make a dust cover for their oldest truck, a 1936 American Lafrance, which had been converted into a caisson truck for use in memorial services . The cover was to be used while the truck is in storage, and they particularly wanted to protect the finishes on the antique vehicle.
Charlie Keese, owner of Mister Sew-N-Sew and recognized as a master craftsman in the area, had previously done custom work on a firefighter's pontoon boat. According to Keese, he had learned about the MarChem CFI Softouch fabric at a Marine Fabricators Association vendor show a few years ago. "I immediately thought that the MarChem CFI fabric would be perfect for this job, because it had an exterior surface that was easy to clean and an interior with a soft flock finish that would protect the fire truck from scratches", he said.
The association was impressed and selected a charcoal color Softouch fabric. The project was completed to everyone's extreme satisfaction.
Being chosen to make the cover was very meaningful to Keese and his wife Marcia, because her father had been a Fire Chief.
