Saint George Fire Department of Washington County station 8's firehouse.

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Warning rambling stream of consciousness follows, not really a rant more an open question.

 

 

So like many here I have a respectable library of books on fire apparatus and it struck me recently that there appears to be little published evidence of the Howe Fire Apparatus company.

 

This strikes me as odd because it was a fairly significant builder of fire apparatus. Howe had a long history beginning in the hand pumper era, won sizable contracts in WW2 and seems to have been ubiquitous in smaller communities across the US until being absorbed by Grumman in the 1980s.

 

I have what appears to be the only published work on Howe, a 1984 The Visiting Fireman 5.5x8.5" 80 page booklet, Howe Fire Apparatus Photo Album. Lots of nice (if small) photos, but not much information.


 

I realize that these book projects are largely a labor of love for the author, so what gets done is due to someone with a passion for the particular subject, contacts with photographers / historians and the drive to write a book.

 

 

Also understand that commercial apparatus don't have the same appeal as the custom rigs, although that hasn't stopped books on Darley, Oren, Tasc, Grumman and other largely commercial based builders from getting their 15 minutes of fame.

 

 

 

Am I missing something with Howe?

 

Is there something in the works I am not aware of?

 

Is there another book available out there besides the small one by The Visiting Fireman? I've seen reference to a Howe History 1872-1972 but it is either very rare or is one of those books that got a title but failed to actually appear.

 

 

 

For the moment lacking a more scholarly work, I'd welcome whatever history people want to share. There doesn't seem to be much out there. Walter McCall sums up Howe with a couple of pages in his Encyclopedia of American Fire Engine Manufacturers.

 

 

I've done a search and these doesn't appear to be a thread on Howe Fire Apparatus. I have nothing to start such a thread with but would certainly spend some time looking at one if someone were to take this as a request.

what gear do you bring to a fire scene

 

1. camera with extra batteries and memory cards

2. radio

3. bunker gear

4. safety vest (mostly for mvc's)

5. Laptop

CHARLOTTE, Mich., Dec. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAR) ("Spartan" or the "Company"), a global leader in specialty chassis and vehicle design, manufacturing, and assembly, today announced its wholly-owned subsidiary, Spartan Motors USA, Inc., has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. ("Smeal"), an industry-leading innovator and manufacturer of fire apparatus in North America, and its subsidiaries for $36.3 million, subject to certain net working capital adjustments, the Company's forgiveness of certain liabilities owed by Smeal to the Company, and a subsequent tax gross-up payment, which is expected to be more than offset by tax benefits accruing to the Company. The acquisition will enable Spartan Motors to strengthen its Emergency Response business, gain scale and geographic reach in the industry, and accelerate its Emergency Response business unit turnaround plan. The transaction is expected to close in January 2017, subject to customary closing conditions.

Smeal is expected to generate 2016 revenues of approximately $100 million, which includes approximately $30 million of Spartan chassis sold to Smeal.  The newly combined Spartan Emergency Response business unit will rank as one of the top-four North American fire apparatus manufacturers and will be well positioned, in an increasingly consolidating industry, to provide a robust and respected portfolio of leading products, services, and technologies. Today, Spartan's Emergency Response business unit engineers and builds fire truck cabs and chassis for many of the industry's leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including Smeal, as well as designs and manufactures complete fire apparatus. The acquisition of Smeal is a logical next step in the longstanding relationship between the two companies, which spans more than 30 years.

"We look forward to adding Smeal's industry-leading product portfolio and manufacturing expertise to Spartan's, while expanding on a decades-long successful partnership," said Daryl Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spartan Motors. "We expect the acquisition to be accretive to earnings in 2017 and bring significant scale to our Emergency Response vehicle portfolio, which will help accelerate the turnaround of the Spartan Emergency Response business unit. It also expands the geographic reach of our dealers, benefits all of our customers by expanding our product offerings, and brings an additional portfolio of leading technology and expertise to the market."

Adams continued, "We are pleased that Smeal chose Spartan Motors as their partner to carry on their brand's legacy, as we take our supplier relationship to the next level. Spartan Motors is prepared to lead the consolidation charge in the fire apparatus market as strategic opportunities present themselves, and this acquisition represents a deliberate and strategic decision to accelerate the turnaround of Spartan's Emergency Response business unit. Importantly, we also preserve a large, longstanding chassis customer relationship and protect the interests of their dealer channel, as we expand our dealer network across the U.S. and Canada and simultaneously accelerate our goal of becoming the leader in the fire apparatus market."

As a long time firepics member and contributor it really bothers me that not many people show a interest in firepics anymore . A lot of members have left and no longer participate or have decided to not renew their subscription . 7 years ago you could come here and find photos and info for any fire, apparatus or fire station . Is their a particular reason for the decline in activity?

I seen on Seagrave web site they sold a chassis only for a rescue to Gettysberg. Anyone know who is building the rescue? 

 

http://seagrave.com/recent-deliveries?id...00-07-2016

Derby 3rd alarm 22 Caroline St
12/04/16 Derby, CT - Firefighters from were alerted to a reported vacant building on fire just after five a.m. The first arriving companies found a four story, mill building heavily involved. A second and third alarm was transmitted bringing firefighters from the valley area in on mutual aid. Firefighters put multiple master streams into operation along with four trucks to quickly darken down the blaze. The cause of the fire is suspicious since the building is slated for demolition.

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A while back a member on here posted photos of an International Pumper in the middle of a Farmers pond. The rig, was one the member was trying to buy, but the farmer wouldnt give it up. Anyone still have the photos?

 

It was a while ago when they were posted.

 

Thanks in advance,

Yeah so there was a wicked big fire in cambridge. Sorry , I had to . Inundated with info , vids , photos from the get go on this . I remember when I came hear for local fire info , nevermind a damn near Conflagration in almost 2017 . I hate crickets.

Call came in at 9:31 at mile marker 54 South bound on I95

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