You have heard about volunteer fire departments. Maybe you have been a volunteer firefighter, or maybe you still are. If not, maybe you helped cook fish or make food and serve it to raise money for volunteer fire departments.

The story of a fire-fighting team you probably never heard of is on display currently at the new John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.

Throwback Thursday: John Deere Tractor

The museum, which opens this year, rotates some exhibits from time to time to tell more of the company's history. From now through next spring, an exhibit tells the story of John Deere's Fire Brigade. Basically, it was company employees working as firemen to protect the factories and keep them safe. In fact, it still is employees keeping the factories safe – the Fire Brigade still exists.

Sawn Hendershot, manager of the Museum, says the new display celebrates the history of this effort. The exhibit is called "Keeping the Factory Safe, The John Deere Fire Brigade." She notes that many employees throughout the history of the company have served on the fire brigade in an effort to make sure the factory was safe, so John Deere workers could concentrate on building tractors and equipment.

If you go to the museum now, you will see a Kalamazoo SL2500 Fire Truck from 1975, along with Fire Brigade artifacts and photos that tell the story of the Fire Brigade.

Related: John Deere museum explains true meaning of 'horsepower'

Fire Brigade comes to life: A tradition which continues today at John Deere factories comes to the life with a new exhibit at the John Deere Tractor

The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum in Waterloo is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., central time. Admission to visit the museum is $8 for adults, ages 13-61. Children under 12 are admitted free if accompanied by an adult. Seniors, active duty military, John Deere employees and retirees can enter for $4 each.

To learn more about the museum, call 319-292-6126, or: johndeere.com/tractorenginemuseum.