Hull Firefighters Retire 1963 Firetruck Known as ‘Big Louie’
The Hull firefighters in central Wisconsin are retiring and auctioning their 1963 firetruck, affectionately known as 'Big Louie.' The antique truck, named after a former firefighter, served the community for decades but is being replaced with modern equipment better suited…
Green Bay Appleton, WI, October 23, 2026 —
Firefighters in Hull, central Wisconsin, are retiring and auctioning their 1963 firetruck, known affectionately as “Big Louie,” after decades of service to the community.
The antique truck is being replaced with modern equipment considered better suited to current emergency response needs. One challenge with the older vehicle is its manual transmission, which younger firefighters struggle to operate, according to the information provided about the change.
Big Louie was named after a former firefighter. The summary does not identify that firefighter or provide further details about the truck’s history, the date it entered service or the specific emergency calls it attended. It also does not state when the auction will take place, how it will be conducted, or whether a buyer has been identified.
Proceeds from the auction are intended to support town services. The amount expected from the sale, and which services may receive funding, were not provided.
There is a possibility that another fire department could purchase the truck, but no prospective buyer has been named and a sale to another department has not been confirmed. The auction will mark the truck’s retirement from service with Hull firefighters, while leaving open the possibility that it could continue to be used elsewhere.
Details about the replacement equipment, including its cost and when it will enter service, were not provided. The available information describes the reason for retiring Big Louie and the intended use of auction proceeds, but does not include further details about the transition.
Story summarized from the original created by Avery Martinez on www.wpr.org, see more information here.
