In the 1960's, the City of Syracuse, NY found itself in the same situation as many other American cities - it was growing, but changing. The fire department that had served it so well since 1877 found itself challenged by the changes. The SFD consisted at the time of 21 engine companies and 8 trucks utilizing many apparatus dating back to the late 1940s and early 1950s. These were, in the case of the engines, predominantly either American LaFrance or Seagrave 1000 gpm units. The trucks were similarly either American LaFrance or Seagrave 100' mid-mounts. Some of the older units were in questionable shape. Further, the Syracuse fire stations were mainly built in the 19th century, and were in poor locations to serve the changing demographics of the city. A comprehensive reorganization plan had been initiated by Chief Simon Ennis in 1961, and revised & amended over the following years. It envisioned a "clean sheet of paper" approach, with new fire stations better positioned for timely response, and new apparatus of new types to increase efficiency. Obviously, the cost would be significant, and none of the Mayors or City Councils over those years thought that it could be done - so back in the Chief's desk drawer the plan went.

 

Finally, in 1970, Syracuse had a new, dynamic young Mayor named Lee Alexander . . . and a new Chief of Fire named Thomas F Hanlon III.  Tom Hanlon was a gruff, no-nonsense fire chief who cared deeply about his department and his city. He saw the new Mayor as his opportunity - and indeed, Mayor Alexander was looking for a major project to hang his hat on. A meeting was arranged, a presentation made, and from that moment on the Syracuse Fire Department was changed forever. Chief Hanlon had hoped to get even a small portion of the Reorganization Plan implemented - and then over a period of years. As it turned out, he got the green light to do it all, and to do it as quickly as possible. In the end, ten new fire stations and all new engines and trucks were acquired. These new apparatus included tower ladders, "Maxi-Pumpers" with large pumps, quadruple crosslays, 4WD, and telescoping booms, and a newer type of unit to be called a "Mini-Pumper". Careful assessment of numerous ears of departmental statistics had convinced Chief Hanlon and his staff that a large percentage of the alarms typically handled by an SFD engine company could be more quickly and efficiently handled by a small unit with two personnel. These alarms initially included car fires, outdoor fires, lock-outs, downed power lines, and nuisance calls from the hundreds of street alarm boxes throughout the city. A set of specifications was drawn up, and local fire apparatus constructor Sanford was contracted to produce the first two examples. They were delivered in December 1971, and featured high-flotation tires (quickly changed when they proved unsatisfactory), a "pulpit" on the extended front bumper so that the vehicle's pump-and-roll capability could be used by a man with the booster reel nozzle, a front-mounted winch, twin booster reels (one in each rear side compartment). steel bodywork, a 300 gpm pump, 200-gallon tank, a 500-gpm top-mounted Monex monitor, and pump piping that allowed a Maxi-Pumper to pump into a manifold above the Mini's pump to supply it remotely. An International-Harvester 1310 4WD chassis was chosen due to its lower profile than the 4WD chassis from competitors. A large V8 and automatic transmission were specified. No rooftop emergency lights were mounted in a further attempt to keep the height down, in order to enable the units to enter the city's numerous parking garages. Here's what the first SFD Mini_Pumpers looked like:

 



 

Much was learned from these first two units, and changes were in the works for the next generation of Minis.

The more I get into buffing fire apparatus, the more I find myself drawn to the telesquirt. I know there are many that don't like them for various reasons, but I think when used correctly, they can be a very functional engine company. Unfortunately, I have zero pictures in my collection of any of these fine pieces of machinery. I plan to change this, but in the meantime, I'm turning to my peers in the photography world.

 

Anyone have any photos they are willing to share of any telesquirts (69' boom or less)?

 

(This photo of is of the only Telesquirt in my area courtesy of the Lincoln Fire Company website) 

 

Lincoln Fire Company (Lancaster County, PA)

Engine 16-1

1992 Pierce Lance

1750 GPM / 500 GWT / 54' Boom

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Is it just me or did the manufacturer/department scuttlebutt forums suddenly disappear?  Hope this was an error as there has been some interesting discussion in them lately.

Former Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire District of Mohave County Arizona's sub station. One of two stations the department used to operate.

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Mercer County New Jersey Airport Fire Department's Emergency One Crash Truck resting in quarters waiting for the next alarm.

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Quote:OSHKOSH, WIOshkosh Airport Products, LLC, an Oshkosh Corporation company, has received an order for 24 Oshkosh® Striker® aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) vehicles from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). The purchase includes 14 Oshkosh Striker 6x6 vehicles, seven of which are equipped with a 65-foot Snozzle® high reach extendable turret (HRET), and 10 Striker 4x4 apparatus. The PANYNJ also purchased a Striker Simulator virtual reality training system.
 

Has anyone heard or seen how many Seagraves DC has on order and what the status of them is? I am also told that they have Pierce Pumpers on order as well .

After recently seeing a sharp looking new pump I got into reading about the changes in the apparatus. I recall how different it seemed at the time when they went with the total quint concept. I remember one of the big concerns many depts. That were struggling with fiscal concerns were very wary of how some city governments could use the idea of a truck that was essentially both pieces combined could be used against them to potentially decimate manpower.


After reading about how the learning curve (change) was overcome and really ironed out well on the second generation quints, I got to thinking about how it's been a full generation of ff s that only know operating with the quints. So I'm curious about how well going back to pumpers and sticks have worked for them , was this a huge change operationally? .


I know fireman will always make it work with whatever you give them to work with , but it really was a truly genuine thing that they pulled off back in the day. I know they still have quints but if anyone could speak to the latest change I'm curious . Thanks

The Saint George Fire Department of Washington County still runs this 1972 Chevy 150/200 Brush Truck.

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The week between Christmas and New Years Myself and Frank Wegloski had planned to do a photo trip in Indiana. On Christmas day it was clear mother nature had other plans. Frank looked at the weather and it was decided Kansas would be the destination. The week was full sun and almost not a single cloud in the sky. The temps were in the 60's. Ill be posting most of the 150 rigs we shot in 3 days.   

 

 

Andover, KS Brush 12 2002 Ford F350 - Unruh 250 - 300 12-27-2016

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