ENG27SQ
Division Supervisor 
MS Paint Guru
Posts: 653
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Post by ENG27SQ on Dec 10, 2007 9:13:28 GMT -5
Jay, I vaguely remembering you or maybe it was Scott with some shots from the parade/housing at Niagara not too long ago??
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Post by 3105 on Dec 10, 2007 17:16:13 GMT -5
 OK...now you got my blinky and woo-woo juices flowing with some really great looking apparatus pics. I hereby submit for your viewing consideration a compendium of Motown motion! First up: possibly the county's first piece of motorized apparatus: a 1912 Ford Model T "utility" purchased for Hose Company No.1 and shown at the original firehouse on North Washington Avenue (behind what is now Police HQ). While purists may argue that it isn't a "fire apparatus", please take note of the custom-installed bell next to the passenger. The Model T's primary function was to pull the hose reel to the fire location, thereby replacing horses usually supplied by local residents (who earned $2.00 from the Board of Fire Commissioners each time their horse was used to haul the reel) as well as carry sundry and assorted firefighting implements (note the nozzle and hand lanterns). As memory serves, this little gem cost a whopping $425.00, quite a princely sum back then. |
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Post by 3105 on Dec 10, 2007 17:21:38 GMT -5
 The next piece was purchased two years later for Relief Engine Company (shown here in front of their almost brand new and present startion on Chester Avenue) - a custom built "chemical" on 1914 Federal chassis. The Federal was sold to the Board by a Relief Engine Company member who designed and built the bodywork as well as the unique compressed air water tank system for firefighting. In the years to come, these type of engines were termed "boosters" because they had a water tank and either no pump or a very small pump, primarily purpose-built for extinguishing smaller fires. Note the large tank under the seat..this is the water tank which after beeing filled, was then topped off with high pressure air as a propellant. The smaller tank on the running board is an acetylene cylinder that supplied the gas-fired headlights. Another common feature for this vintage was the mesh "box" that the booster style hose was coiled up in. |
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Post by WebBoss on Dec 10, 2007 17:24:22 GMT -5
OK...now you got my blinky and woo-woo juices flowing with some really great looking apparatus pics. I hereby submit for your viewing consideration a compendium of Motown motion! First up: possibly the county's first piece of motorized apparatus: a 1912 Ford Model T "utility" purchased for Hose Company No.1 and shown at the original firehouse on North Washington Avenue (behind what is now Police HQ). While purists may argue that it isn't a "fire apparatus", please take note of the custom-installed bell next to the passenger. The Model T's primary function was to pull the hose reel to the fire location, thereby replacing horses usually supplied by local residents (who earned $2.00 from the Board of Fire Commissioners each time their horse was used to haul the reel) as well as carry sundry and assorted firefighting implements (note the nozzle and hand lanterns). As memory serves, this little gem cost a whopping $425.00, quite a princely sum back then. Ok Ok Ok... i guess for the first time you can call me a "Purist" in a scense. The first Motorized PUMPING Fire Apparatus in Burlington County was a 1926 American LaFrance Triple Combination purchased new by the Beverly Fire Company No. 1. It was dubed "Jerry" from the day it came in. As a purist now, I must point out to everyone that the first Motorized Pumper in the county also shared what color Fire Apparatus was supposed to be.... FOREST GREEN. |
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Post by 3105 on Dec 10, 2007 17:51:26 GMT -5
OK...now you got my blinky and woo-woo juices flowing with some really great looking apparatus pics. I hereby submit for your viewing consideration a compendium of Motown motion! First up: possibly the county's first piece of motorized apparatus: a 1912 Ford Model T "utility" purchased for Hose Company No.1 and shown at the original firehouse on North Washington Avenue (behind what is now Police HQ). While purists may argue that it isn't a "fire apparatus", please take note of the custom-installed bell next to the passenger. The Model T's primary function was to pull the hose reel to the fire location, thereby replacing horses usually supplied by local residents (who earned $2.00 from the Board of Fire Commissioners each time their horse was used to haul the reel) as well as carry sundry and assorted firefighting implements (note the nozzle and hand lanterns). As memory serves, this little gem cost a whopping $425.00, quite a princely sum back then. Ok Ok Ok... i guess for the first time you can call me a "Purist" in a scense. The first Motorized PUMPING Fire Apparatus in Burlington County was a 1926 American LaFrance Triple Combination purchased new by the Beverly Fire Company No. 1. It was dubed "Jerry" from the day it came in. As a purist now, I must point out to everyone that the first Motorized Pumper in the county also shared what color Fire Apparatus was supposed to be.... FOREST GREEN. Au contraire my silver-throated communicator....the NEXT picture is one of the first motorized pumping apparatus..... |
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Post by 3105 on Dec 10, 2007 17:53:58 GMT -5
 1916 American-LaFrance 500 GPM chain-drive pumper, purchased for Hose Company No. 1 and nicked named "The Dragon". |
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Post by 3105 on Dec 10, 2007 17:58:58 GMT -5
 The venerable 1922 Ahearns-Fox of Relief Engine Company, always affectionately known as "Bertha". A piston-pump progenity, she could pull a draft quicker than you can say the word. Still owned and operated by the 312 brothers, her solid rubber tires no doubt caused a lot of loose dentalwork for the drivers. |
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Post by 3105 on Dec 10, 2007 18:05:59 GMT -5
 1926 Foamite-Childs chemical "booster" housed by Hose Company No. 1. Used combination of soda and acid to "whoosh" water from the tanks (as well as form a fire-snuffing "foam"). Refilling the beast's acid containers required rubber gloves and the ability to hold your breath for a really long time. All the tanks and piping were nickel plated, and according to the old salts, made polishing for parades a nightmare. Later converted to a "booster" by replacing all the smaller tanks with one large one that damn near collapsed the frame. Ended her long career as an extra piece in 312. |
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Post by 3105 on Dec 10, 2007 18:08:21 GMT -5
 Relief Engine Company's 1936 Aherns-Fox "booster" nicknamed "The Little Fox" to distinguish her from her older cousin, the 1922. |
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Post by TaskForce25 on Dec 10, 2007 19:24:20 GMT -5
Ok Ok Ok... i guess for the first time you can call me a "Purist" in a scense. The first Motorized PUMPING Fire Apparatus in Burlington County was a 1926 American LaFrance Triple Combination purchased new by the Beverly Fire Company No. 1. It was dubed "Jerry" from the day it came in. As a purist now, I must point out to everyone that the first Motorized Pumper in the county also shared what color Fire Apparatus was supposed to be.... FOREST GREEN. Find us a picture of that rig and you will be hailed as a god of ultimate power! For now, here's a picture of the 1946 Ward LaFrance 750 GPM pumper. I don't know who took the picture, but I do know it's in Paulsboro and the asking price is $975.00.  |
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Post by FirstDue312 on Dec 10, 2007 19:55:01 GMT -5
I'll attest to it, Bertha could probably out pump some trucks of today. A true beautiful workhorse that has been featured in Smithsonian magazine. Chief, why the decision to keep Bertha as a historic piece but none of our others (besides Franklin of course).
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hp4l
Division Supervisor
Remember Your Roots
Posts: 600
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Post by hp4l on Dec 10, 2007 22:55:17 GMT -5
Ok Ok Ok... i guess for the first time you can call me a "Purist" in a scense. The first Motorized PUMPING Fire Apparatus in Burlington County was a 1926 American LaFrance Triple Combination purchased new by the Beverly Fire Company No. 1. It was dubed "Jerry" from the day it came in. As a purist now, I must point out to everyone that the first Motorized Pumper in the county also shared what color Fire Apparatus was supposed to be.... FOREST GREEN. Find us a picture of that rig and you will be hailed as a god of ultimate power! For now, here's a picture of the 1946 Ward LaFrance 750 GPM pumper. I don't know who took the picture, but I do know it's in Paulsboro and the asking price is $975.00. Jay, is this for sale through the fire company in Paulsboro or private? Is this the blue one that goes to parades? |
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Post by TaskForce25 on Dec 10, 2007 23:14:05 GMT -5
Find us a picture of that rig and you will be hailed as a god of ultimate power! For now, here's a picture of the 1946 Ward LaFrance 750 GPM pumper. I don't know who took the picture, but I do know it's in Paulsboro and the asking price is $975.00. Jay, is this for sale through the fire company in Paulsboro or private? Is this the blue one that goes to parades? Privately, by John Burzichelli who owns the blue one among others. The old Beverly piece is still green and needs a good amount of work. You can see it in the trucks for sale section of wardlafrance.com |
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tootall
Special Operations Command
BurlCoFire EMS Moderator
Posts: 98
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Post by tootall on Dec 10, 2007 23:16:26 GMT -5
Jay,
Thanks for the pics...you dont happen to have a picture of the old WWII truck ML had..."Leapin Lena"?
I will have to look in my collection to see if I have a picture of the old 259 I mean 2519 I mean 3719 I mean Medford PD Tac truck as 3719.
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ENG27SQ
Division Supervisor
MS Paint Guru
Posts: 653
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Post by ENG27SQ on Dec 10, 2007 23:23:16 GMT -5
Virtua Health Paramedics Medic # 33 2005 Ford Expedition  |
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ENG27SQ
Division Supervisor
MS Paint Guru
Posts: 653
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Post by ENG27SQ on Dec 10, 2007 23:25:14 GMT -5
Medic Supervisor aka Medic # 100  |
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Post by 3105 on Dec 11, 2007 6:28:28 GMT -5
All joking aside, that Beverly piece is outstanding, color not withstanding...that's when driving a fire truck was an aerobic exercise!
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Post by 3105 on Dec 11, 2007 10:29:33 GMT -5
 Part Duex of More Motown Motion.... Hose Company No. 1 1937 American LaFrance, 500 GPM "pumper" (as opposed to booster). Subsequently sold to Star Cross Fire Company in Frankinville, who then sold it to a collector who restored it and sold it back to Star Cross. Here's what it looks like today:  An interesting side note: that's a 50 ft, wood Bangor style ladder with tormentor poles hanging on the side that required the D/O to board from the passenger side. Later, when the truck was being sold, this ladder was donated to the then fledgling Burlington County Fire Academy for training use. One of the practical tests to graduate from "Basic Firefighting" in 1973 was to climb up AND OVER this ladder while it was in a "church raise" position (this means being held up vertically by two firefighters at the butt end and four firefighters holding guy ropes attached to the top rung...kinda like a antenna tower). This is when you hoped that you hadn't pissed off any of the guys holding that damn hunk of lumber up.... |
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Post by 3105 on Dec 11, 2007 10:45:41 GMT -5
  1952 Metro purchased for Hose Company and the granddaddy of 311 utilities/rescues. Carried stretchers, lighting, first aid kits, generator, and other assorted firefighting and first aid equipment. later sold to Station 319. The second picture shows it posed as delivered on the ramp of the old Hose Company at 215 West Main Street, which has since been converted into apartments. |
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Post by 3105 on Dec 11, 2007 10:51:59 GMT -5
 1957 FWD 500/500 engine (second out when I joined in 72). This four wheel drive monster, the original "3111", was a essentially an International Harvester chassis and cab but with the FWD style cowling and radiator. Built like a tank, it unfortunately would sink like one too whenever the boys got the foolish notion in their head to take it into a wet, soggy field. Later sold to Fayette, Maine fire department where as of the last time I checked, it's still in service. Here's what it looks like in Maine:  |
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