The Fire Museum of Maryland reports, "It finally happened! The fireboat Tommy, named after Little Italy resident and Mayor Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr., has arrived at its new home." The Fire Museum, in Lutherville, Maryland, accepted the boat in pieces on a May morning at 3:15 a.m. Restoration has begun, yet will likely take several years before visitors will be able to step into the wheelhouse to learn about the vessel and maritime firefighting.

The 1956 Tommy was Baltimore City's first diesel-powered fireboat, and the most powerful one the city had owned, at 12,000 gallons of water per minute. After having served the city faithfully until 2007, the fireboat was decommissioned and sold for scrap, however, a significant portion was saved. The Fire Museum worked to transport the boat to the museum, believing it deserves to be resurrected and on permanent display.

"Baltimore's Italian community has been so supportive of the project," said Amy Landsman, the museum's Media Relations Director, "but our work isn't yet done, and fundraising is ongoing." Interested supporters of Tommy the fireboat can mail checks to: Fire Museum of Maryland. 1301-R York Road. Lutherville, Maryland 21093 (memo on check - "Tommy")