Palm Springs Restores Historic Fire Engine “El Diablo” for Community Events

Palm Springs is celebrating its history by restoring a unique piece of firefighting heritage. The 1931 American LaFrance pumper, known as El Diablo, was the city’s first official fire engine and served as a critical part of early fire protection in the desert community.

Over the years, El Diablo changed hands among several agencies, including Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa, before being rediscovered by the Palm Springs Firefighters Association in the 1980s. Now, the organization is undertaking a full restoration to preserve the truck as a symbol of the city’s early firefighting legacy.

“This is our history, and being able to fully restore it offers pride to our department,” said a representative from the association. Once restored, El Diablo will participate in parades, community outreach, and educational events, allowing residents to experience a living piece of Palm Springs’ past.

Community members can view El Diablo this weekend at the 1PS Picnic and Community Expo at Ruth Hardy Park. The free event runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees will have the chance to see the restored fire engine up close while supporting efforts to fund its restoration.

The initiative reflects Palm Springs’ ongoing commitment to honoring its history while engaging the community through interactive experiences.