Andrew Messer Photos

[Frank B]

Andrew, Thanks for posting the great photos & Information!

[Andrew2340]

Tim, thanks for the pic of the minipumper! Doesn't look like much has changed since it left Manchester.



The Chief of Alarka made a call on the radio and got us someone lined up to meet us at the next district over. We reported to West Swain VFD Station 1 where we met our contact for there. West Swain had changed their numbering scheme on their trucks since last time I was there, so I just re-shot everything!



West Swain, NC "1487"



2005 Ford F-450/Reading

350/300



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

West Swain, NC "1481"



2010 Kenworth T-370/Toyne

1250/1250

S/N # TID-9308



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

West Swain, NC "1480"



1999 GMC C8500/Ferrara

1000/1000

S/N # H-1761



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

This truck was originally built for a large order of American LaFrance fire trucks placed by the country of Brazil, but was rejected for one reason or another. I've found quite a few of these Brazil fire trucks floating around Western NC.



West Swain, NC "1484"



1981 Chevrolet C-70/American LaFrance

1000/1000

Reg. # 1-7263

X: Brazil export (rejected)

X: Cullowhee, NC "458"

X: Alarka, NC "1671"



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

That completed the fleet for Station 1. We then ventured to West Swain Station 2, which was new since last time I'd visited. It is down in a remote part of the district alongside the lake.



This was one of my favorites for the day! What a neat looking rig!



West Swain, NC "1482"



2006 Kenworth T-300/Elite Power Products

1000/1000

S/N # 06-1216



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

West Swain, NC "1483"



1983 Chevrolet C-70/Local

500/1000

X: Cowee, NC "1850"



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

This truck formerly belonged to Alarka, NC. It was replaced by the Ford/Allsafe minipumper from Manchester, MD pictured above. It still looks great at West Swain!



West Swain, NC "1488"



1977 Dodge 300/Sanford

750/250

S/N # 76-12

X: Federalsburg, MD

X: Alarka, NC "1451"



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

The last rig at West Swain was wedged in the back of Station 2 longways, and they said it would take quite a while to get it in & out. I'd previously taken this photo of the rig last time I was there. Nothing had changed about the rig. The rig was at Station 1 that time.



West Swain, NC "1485"



1979 Chevrolet C-70/American LaFrance

1000/1000

Reg. # 1-6579

X: Balsam-Willetts-Ochre Hill, NC "853"



Andrew Messer Photo (2006)



   

[Andrew2340]

We then left West Swain and ventured to Stecoah's fire station, only to find the place locked up tight. We left Stecoah and went to Graham County Emergency Services main base in Robbinsville. The fire station, EMS base, and rescue squad all operate out of the same large headquarters.



I won't post all the ambulances, but this one was neat.



Graham County EMS of Robbinsville, NC "511"



2011 Dodge 4500/Taylor Made

ALS Ambulance



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

Not exactly sure how this works, but some of the rigs here were lettered for Graham County Fire Department and some were lettered for Robbinsville Fire Department. I guess the county buys the rigs for the rural district and the city pays for the rigs for city limits maybe?



Graham County/Robbinsville, NC "401"



2006 Ford F-550/E-One

1000/300

SO # 130395



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

Graham County/Robbinsville, NC "403"



2001 Sterling/Central States

1250/1000

S/N # 1242701



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

Graham County/Robbinsville, NC "402"



1987 Ford F800/EEI

1000/1000

S/N # 8499



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

These two rigs were tucked away in the back of the building and were only used as last resort back-up engines and couldn't be moved...unfortunately.



Graham County/Robbinsville, NC "Reserve Engine"



1977 Ford C/FMC

750/750

S/N # 8471



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

The other reserve engine... Notice the straight pipes run behind the cab. They said this one would deafen you when they cranked it up. They're supposed to let me know next time they are going to get these two rigs outside and I'll post better pics of them.



Graham County/Robbinsville, NC "Reserve Engine"



(unknown year) Ford F800/American LaFrance

750/750

Reg. # 2-1-1089

"Tommie's Truck"



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

Also in the same building is the Graham County Rescue Squad who runs these trucks (amongst others that they keep at the old Emergency Services building).



Graham County RS of Robbinsville, NC "404"



1988 Ford F-350/Stahl

Rescue Unit



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

Graham County RS of Robbinsville, NC "405"



1992 Ford F-350/Wheeled Coach

ALS Ambulance

S/N # 90709

X: Cherokee Tribal EMS, NC



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

We were then guided to the next fire station. These rigs also had different names on the doors. Both of these rigs run out of the station in the Lake Santeetlah/Pine Ridge area.



Graham County/Santeetlah/Pine Ridge, NC "702"



2000 IHC 4900/E-One

1250/1000

SO # 122576



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[Andrew2340]

Graham County/Santeetlah/Pine Ridge, NC "701"



1995 IHC 4900/EEI

1000/1000

S/N # 8732



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)



   

[e290l103]

Andrew, did this rig show any sign of having a 54' squrt on it originally? records showed that there was a group of 5 rigs 7261-7265 that had squrts.



[quote name='Andrew2340' timestamp='1341173121' post='490793']

This truck was originally built for a large order of American LaFrance fire trucks placed by the country of Brazil, but was rejected for one reason or another. I've found quite a few of these Brazil fire trucks floating around Western NC.



West Swain, NC "1484"



1981 Chevrolet C-70/American LaFrance

1000/1000

Reg. # 1-7263

X: Brazil export (rejected)

X: Cullowhee, NC "458"

X: Alarka, NC "1671"



Andrew Messer Photo (2012)





[/quote]