Thursday, August 23, 2012

'COVERED WAGON'



It was a revolutionary innovation at the time. In December 1937, the Springfield Fire Division took delivery of a closed-bed American LaFrance sedan pumper. This unique rig was assigned to the Central Engine House as Engine 1. There wasn't a rear running board like most engines of the era. Everyone traveled in the cab or the covered hose bed. Firefighters dubbed it the "Covered Wagon" - like the horse-drawn wagons in old Western movies. It remained a front-line pumper until 1959 and was eventually left to languish in a city park.

ATTACK PUMPER


Photo: Youngstown Fire web site

Engine 1, a 1959 Mack, was dubbed the "Attack Pumper." It's p
ictured here it is in semi-retirement as Reserve Engine 10. The rig was painted safety green after it was scorched at a fire in the late 1970s. The Attack Pumper responded to all working fires in the city with a crew of four or five men following the Jan. 1, 1975 reorganization of the fire division. In some city's such units were known a "Flying Squad."

4's & 5's



Photos: Youngstown Fire web site

These Ward LaFrance pumpers entered service in 1967, replacing American LaFrance rigs assigned to Engine 4 and Engine 5, according to the 1978 book "From Buckets to Diesels" by the late Calvin E. Roberds, a senior officer in the fire division.

6's

 
 
Photos: Youngstown Fire web site

Truck 6 and Engine 6 of the Springfield Fire Division, circa 1970s

8's


Photo: Youngstown Fire web site

1964 Mack assigned to Engine Co. 8 in Springfield, Ohio

LIGHT AND AIR


Photo: Youngstown Fire web site

Light and air unit operated by volunteers of Box 27 Associates in Springfield in the 1970s and 1980s. It was a converted fire division ladder truck.

RESERVE TRUCK


Photo: Youngstown Fire websitez

Reserve Truck 1 on the ramp at Station No. 1 in Springfield Ohio, circa 1970s.

RESERVE ENGINE

Photo: Youngstown Fire website
 
Reserve Engine 12, circa 1980, in Springfield, Ohio