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[quote name='VFN102' post='293316' date='Mar 28 2009, 22:08 ']Kevin,



I am not that familiar with DCFD, but notice the engines are usually referred to as wagon in the descriptions but none are lettered that way. My point of reference is some VA localities that have pumpers lettered and identified on the radio as Engine or Wagon such and such. Which designator is used over the radio in DC? I for one, am sorry that NOVA has done away with the Wagon terminology having gone to Engine 506, Engine 506B, etc instead.[/quote]



Even though we don't have the 2 piece Engine Company anymore. We still refer to the Engine as theWagon when we are talking about things in the Firehouse. You know it's hard for OLD GUYS to get away from the old terminology. Like the Chief's car is still refred to to this day as the Buggy.



Cosgr <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/stirpot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> ve

Love the thread, a virtual look into the past apparatus of DC. I started following you guys back in the early 90's when all the problems started (eliminating the two-piece engine, closing companies, and who could not forget the ladder situation) Anyway, always liked the solid red with a large white band around the rig, very sharp, so heres my question: On the older Fords the deck gun is pre-piped to the officers side rear of the wagon. Is there a reason for this, or is a hold over from the horse-drawn wagon days? Thanks in advance

[quote name='tcosgrovejones' post='293354' date='Mar 29 2009, 06:18 ']Even though we don't have the 2 piece Engine Company anymore. We still refer to the Engine as theWagon when we are talking about things in the Firehouse. You know it's hard for OLD GUYS to get away from the old terminology. Like the Chief's car is still refred to to this day as the Buggy.



Cosgr <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/stirpot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> ve[/quote]





We went througth the same thing over the years. Once a two piece department, for most companies, after the Wagons were abolished, the older members still refer to the Engine as "Wagon". This was because it was the piece that laid out hoseline and was in front of the building. Old habits are hard the break. DC may would have had two piece Engine Companies longer, had Madam Sharon hadn't whacked them out.

Was Otis Latan the Fire Chief in DCFD who did away with the 2-piece engine companies, a truck or two as well as Rescue Squad Co. 04? He went to DCFD after leaving us in HFD.

[quote name='Ladder 68' post='293454' date='Mar 29 2009, 16:59 ']Was Otis Latan the Fire Chief in DCFD who did away with the 2-piece engine companies, a truck or two as well as Rescue Squad Co. 04? He went to DCFD after leaving us in HFD.[/quote]



Nope, it was one of DCFD's finest. Don't want to say names, but his initials were Ray Alfred.



Latin was too stupid to really do anything.





Thanks, Timmy. Even though "wagon" was not used on the radio, it was (and is) still used in quarters. That I did forget.





Stay safe, Brothers.

[color="#000080"]October 31, 1993 Engine Company 3 and Engine company 34 were disbanded and placed out of service.



May 7, 1995 Truck Company 1 and Rescue Squad 4 were disbanded and placed out of service.[/color]







[color="#8B0000"]Ladder 68- It was during Fire Chief Otis Latin's tenure that companies were closed, manpower was reduced, and morale took a huge hit. [/color]



5 man trucks were reduced to 4 man trucks, two piece 5 man engine companies were reduced to 4 man single piece engine companies, the 7th and 8th Battalions were closed, E3, E34, T1, & RS4 were closed, Battalion Aides were removed from the buggies, apparatus was in a state of emergency, firehouse roulette was in place, as companies closed for the day to save on overtime expenses, and on and on! Chief Latin was often refered to as "The Cut Man".



Chief Alfred did sign approximately 100 pink slips for men that were to be RIF'ed. Concessions were made by the rank and file, and these men were able to keep their jobs.



The "Hahns" held the department together during these tough times, mostly running as reserves. E6 and E17 were the last companies to have front line Hahns. During the summer of 93' E6 and E17 received new KME's which were very unreliable. To this day, the "Hahns" are held in high esteem by all enginemen, and remembered as the wagons that held the department together during some of our worst budget years.



The two piece engine companies were a wagon and a pumper. If one piece went out of service for maintenance, and the company could not find a reserve, they would be forced to become a single piece engine company until the other piece returned from the shop. When an engine company ran as a single piece company, it was refered to as "running combination". i.e. the wagon and pumper combined into one.



It may sound funny to some outside of DCFD to say wagon, but it is our tradition, and I don't think the term wagon will ever leave our vocabulary.



Semper Fidelis,

Demon Leader 4

[attachment=45921]

[quote name='station76rit' post='293324' date='Mar 28 2009, 22:21 ']it look like it took a very hard lick? did this truck ever get fixed[/quote]

S-601 was repaired and put back on the street. Unknown the other truck... 1979 photo.

[attachment=45922]

This image of Engine Co. 8’s 1971 Ford/ Ward LaFrance is similar in aspect to the one FRANK B posted a couple of posts back. The angle reveals the handle of the quarter-turn Keystone valve on the intake under the front bumper. Unlike pumpers, wagons only had soft sleeves preconnected on the front. The C-cab wagons up through 1977 were known as “knucklebusters”, partially due to the front intake arrangement, and owing to the fact you banged your knuckles on the dash board when shifting into 3rd gear.

RMKDFD, I have been out of there over 10 years.



Time does fly. Knew Alfred tried to do the RIF's, thought it was in the same regime.



My apologies for the misinformation. Thanks for the correction.



Stay safe, Brothers.

[quote name='dcfireman' post='293499' date='Mar 29 2009, 21:38 ']

This image of Engine Co. 8’s 1971 Ford/ Ward LaFrance is similar in aspect to the one FRANK B posted a couple of posts back. The angle reveals the handle of the quarter-turn Keystone valve on the intake under the front bumper. Unlike pumpers, wagons only had soft sleeves preconnected on the front. The C-cab wagons up through 1977 were known as “knucklebusters”, partially due to the front intake arrangement, and owing to the fact you banged your knuckles on the dash board when shifting into 3rd gear.[/quote]



You learned to palm 3rd real quick.

[quote name='WAGONMAN' post='293809' date='Mar 31 2009, 15:48 ']You learned to palm 3rd real quick.[/quote]





Yep, drove a cab-foward Maxim, same thing, shift into third palms open, or you smashed yur knuckles on the dashboard and did'nt quite get into gear. Oh those were the days. To this day I still shift third with open palms.

[quote name='dcfireman' post='292949' date='Mar 27 2009, 19:33 ']

Correction to the caption for Engine 30’s 1980 Hahn: it was powered by a Detroit 6V71, as was Engine 4’s 1980 Hahn, seen here at a pump job at 14th and Harvard St. NW shortly after delivery.[/quote]



That is Sherman and Harvard Chief.

Quote:It may sound funny to some outside of DCFD to say wagon, but it is our tradition, and I don't think the term wagon will ever leave our vocabulary.

AMEN!!!!!

[attachment=46059]

[quote name='gileng4' post='293922' date='Apr 1 2009, 07:28 ']That is Sherman and Harvard Chief.[/quote]You're good! But, I'll really respect you in the morning if you can tell me where this was taken. Photo off the firehouse wall, photographer unknown, no information.

(I know the location, but know nothing of the apparatus)

[quote name='dcfireman' post='294052' date='Apr 1 2009, 20:05 ']

You're good! But, I'll really respect you in the morning if you can tell me where this was taken. Photo off the firehouse wall, photographer unknown, no information.

(I know the location, but know nothing of the apparatus)[/quote]





I'll take a WAG at it! Is it the intersection of Vermont Ave,T & 11th Street??

[quote name='dcfdtech' date='Apr 1 2009, 21:56 ' post='294063']

I'll take a WAG at it! Is it the intersection of Vermont Ave,T & 11th Street??



/quote]



That is a good one I will have to ask Tremel or Cosgrove I think they were there.

[quote name='dcfireman' post='294052' date='Apr 1 2009, 20:05 ']

You're good! But, I'll really respect you in the morning if you can tell me where this was taken. Photo off the firehouse wall, photographer unknown, no information.

(I know the location, but know nothing of the apparatus)[/quote]





Wooden Sticks And Iron Men. The aerial on the left could be an ALF Type 31, and hose wagon also looks like an ALF

[quote name='firetrucknut' post='294214' date='Apr 2 2009, 20:01 ']Wooden Sticks And Iron Men. The aerial on the left could be an ALF Type 31, and hose wagon also looks like an ALF[/quote]

Could it be the 1919 Truck 2 DESOTO posted a few pics back? The image is a fire at

2349 Massachusetts Ave NW – NE corner 24th and Mass Ave, above Sheridan Circle, still there. The era appears to be c.1932.

Oh well My "WAG" was wrong!! <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/banghead.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I had thought it was down that way but that bldg behind the Truck thru me off!! Thanks Kev for the pic and a history lesson!! <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hail.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[quote name='RMKDFD' post='293477' date='Mar 29 2009, 20:12 ']It may sound funny to some outside of DCFD to say wagon, but it is our tradition, and I don't think the term wagon will ever leave our vocabulary.[/quote]



Some of us still use Wagon and Pumper in our vocabulary. But then again our roots lay inside of D.C. Fire. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/hail.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />