Between 1958 and 1969 the DCFD purchased no fewer than 50 short wheel based Pirsch and Ward Lafrance pumpers, all 750 gpm. The 1958 Pirsch seen in service as E-10’s pumper is one of 20 similar Pirsch. Engine 8’s 1966 Ward pumper (on the hydrant) is one of 15 similar Wards. The scene is 15th St. and Potomac Ave SE, c.1975.
01-23-2007, 12:02 AM (This post was last modified: 01-23-2007, 12:07 AM by dcfireman.)
1958, S-177 thru 180
Washington D.C. was the single biggest user of Pirsch apparatus in the United States, having received some 80 pieces over the years. This rig is one of four pumpers delivered in 1958, Shop numbers 177 thru 180. It has a 750-gpm Hale QL75HD two-stage pump and a 200-gallon water tank. TheDCFD Shop added a small line reel and wooden canopy. Note the SCBA to left of the pump panel. The back step members had theirs in the hosebed; the lineman, a 15-minute Sling Pak, and the layout man a full 30-minute bottle. 1980 image, E-10.
One of four 1959 Pirsch pumps with Hale QL75HD pumps and 200-gallon water tanks: Note the shop-built manifold above the pump panel for preconnected 1 ½” lines and the small-line. These pumpers were serials 181 thru 184.
One of four Pirsch delivered in 1960, S-185 thru 188. It has a Hale QL75HD two-stage pump and 200 gallon water tank. This piece was running as Engine 11’s pumper when this picture was taken in 1983.
01-23-2007, 12:21 AM (This post was last modified: 01-23-2007, 12:26 AM by dcfireman.)
1960, S-189 thru 191
Three more Pirsch (S-189, 190, 191) were delivered in 1961, and were nearly identical in all respects to the 1960 models. The only distinguishing feature was the dual headlights. Image is Engine 20’s pumper in 1986.
dcfiremam- What year did DC start enclosing their semi-cab apparatus? Like many other US cities that enclosed their semi- and open-cab apparatus in the 60s and 70s, many of those shop-built or local fabricators came up with some fairly ugly cabs.
After shooting Baltimore apparatus during the IAFC Convention in Baltimore, Duane Troxel shot the entire Washington DC department. I just finished scanning all his DC slides from that trip. I noticed that the DCFD was able to acquire some Mack B cabs to enclose their 1957 Mack B semi-open engines. Here is Engine 29's pump, Mack #B85F-1230, DCFD shop #S-296, Duane shot with a Mack B cab.
I should have noted that Duane's trip to the IAFC Convention in Baltimore was in the fall of 1973. Washington DC also owned five of these rather unusual looking 1962 Ward LaFrance 750/250 pumpers which were originally semi-open cabs. Here is Engine 9's 1962 WLF 750/259 "Pumper" in 1973, DCFD #S-299. The WLF serial #s were 7031-7135. Note the unusual add-on cab.
Here's a straight on side shot of the unusual add-on cab of Engine 9's 1962 WLF 750/250. For some reason Duane could not find the serial numbers on these 1962 Wards and he only noted the series they were in (7031-7035).
Dang it Steve, now I have to make a change to my DCFD decal sheet. Good thing it hasnt been sent off to print yet. Keep em coming, I'm your biggest fan right here. Thanks for sharing these with us. Rich
Here's a photo from Duane's Collection that I don't believe Duane took. It is of DCFD Truck r operating a 1955 Pirsch 100-foot TDA, Pirsch #2213, a reserve piece in 1973 with shop #S-344.
- Unknown photographer from the Duane Troxel Collection.
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