ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) -- An iconic piece of Elmira's history is still making an impact, thousands of miles away. An American LaFrance fire truck, built in Chemung County, is now owned by former late-night host and comedian Jay Leno; he has been putting it to great use.

The American LaFrance company has deep roots in fire truck manufacturing, dating back to the early 1800s. The company, founded by brothers Asa and Truxon LaFrance, originally built steam pumpers before transitioning to motorized fire trucks in the early 1900s.

"The American LaFrance Company manufactured fire engines in Chemung County from 1872 until 1985, although the company lasted until 2014, just not in Chemung County," says Chemung County Historical Society Historian, Rachel Dworkin.

In 1910, the company set up shop in Elmira. The American LaFrance company became a leader in fire truck production for more than a century. Trucks built by generations of Elmira workers were shipped across the globe to small towns and major cities alike.

Today, one of those trucks has been refurbished and given a second life in California. Leno has been using the Elmira-made fire truck to help people impacted by the California Los Angeles County Wildfires. 

Leno has been driving through affected areas, helping serve first responders and displaced residents hot meals. 

"Hot food instead of boxed lunches, we're cooking for the crew, and you guys, if you're hungry, we got a big barbecue going," Leno told CNN's Anderson Cooper on January 14th.

As of January 21st, CAL FIRE reports the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County is 63% contained, while the Eaton Fire is 89% contained.

American LaFrance's story came to a close in 2014. The company closed its doors after years of ownership changes and financial struggles. However, the legacy of the trucks, and the workers who built them in Chemung County, is still alive and not going anywhere anytime soon.

"The company has a long history of quality products that help save lives. I mean, that's what they were designed to do. They were designed to fight fires, and the fact that he's still using it for its intended purpose is kind of neat," says Dworkin.

From Elmira to Los Angeles County, California, American LaFrance continues to live on and make an impactful difference even in 2025.