It's yours so you can do what you want.
However, it's a very rare machine and, particularly if the ladder and other accessories are there, it's more nearly a museum project than just about any other post-war MV.
My wife's middle brother started his Air Force career and a flight line fireman and more than once charged into a fire trying to save the aircrew. My former business partner did the same job in the Marine Corps and was twice cited for valor for rescuing aircrew in Viet Nam. They'd probably puke if they saw this thread.
I just pulled out the October, 2002 MV Mag and looked at David Doyle's article titled "Truck, Fire, Airplane, Forcible Entry, Type R-2"
He states the "magic number" at only 308 built.
He sums it all up better that I could. "The small number of R-2s produced, coupled with the fact that the R-2 bodies are made of aluminum and therefore, lent themselves to profitable scraping, resulted in only a handful of intact examples now known to exist. The scarcity, as well as the nobility of purpose, of these vehicles certainly makes them worthy preservation and restoration candidates. The few that remain are coveted not only by military vehicle collectors, but also by fire apparatus enthusiasts."
As regards bobbing a deuce, there were something like 63,000 of them made. I've got no problem with chopping some up. Might be doing one myself soon.
I really hope the R-2 stays intact and finds a good home with you or someone else and gets saved.
Lance
EDIT: Oops! I just re-read the thread and saw you post about it being safe! I think I'll pull my head out of my "fourth point of contact" and go put the soap box away.