Huntington Beach Receives Donation of Nearly Century-Old Firefighting Equipment

Huntington Beach firefighters worked hard to repair the city's first motorized engine, a 1923 Seagrave Metropolitan Pumper.

Today, the department has the equipment worn by volunteer firefighters who rode that truck about a century ago.

“Whoever wore that helmet, whoever wore that badge, was on that platform at one point,” said retired firefighter Andre Clarizio. “It’s pretty cool.”

The Hibler and Honnell families, who remain close, donated a 1920s or early '30s firefighter's helmet and two badges to the Huntington Beach Firefighters' Association. during an informal event last week at the Gotthard fire training center.

Dave Hibler donated the helmet, which belonged to his grandfather, Harry Hibler Sr., also known as “Hibby,” the volunteer fire chief at the time. Terry, Dave's cousin, was also present for the donation.

“My father had [the helmet] for I don’t know how long,” Dave Hibler said. “Then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, there he was hanging in his office…I'm just glad he has a home and isn't just sitting in my house.”

The badges belonged to Roy Honnell, who married Hibby's sister. Roy's son Don, a longtime Huntington Beach resident now 89 years old, was at the training center for the exchange.

Family members said Harry Hibler Sr. and Roy Honnell, who both worked for Edison, were very involved in the community by being members of a local Masonic lodge. They also helped found the first Boy Scout troop in Huntington Beach.

Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem Pat Burns also attended the donation event.

Fire engineers Clarizio and Rex Rysewyk led the task of restoring the antique engine, which was used for about 30 years and eventually salvaged from a local museum. It reads “The Hib” on the side, in honor of Harry Hibler Sr.

The engine will eventually be on display along with the helmet, Huntington Beach Fire Chief Scott Haberle said.

“I think legacy is really important to us,” Haberle said. “I think it’s this symbol of respecting our heritage, respecting our origins. It means a lot, especially to have the helmet of the person after whom the platform is named.