Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire

[OPEN CAB MACK]

[quote name='CNYFireTrucks' post='269820' date='Dec 31 2008, 07:50 ']Brockway was a builder of trucks located in Cortland NY, just south of Syracuse. There are still a bunch of Brockway fire trucks in the Central NY region, most are now in service as parade rigs.



Here's a link to the Brockway Museum's website, unfortunately most of the pages there seem to be OOS, but the history is pretty detailed.



[url="http://www.brockwaytrucks.org/museum/history.html"]http://www.brockwaytrucks.org/museum/history.html[/url][/quote]

If you look at the actual cab, the operator/passenger compartment minus the nose, it is the same as the Mack "R". Mack did own Brockway, not sure when it was purchased. There was a contract dispute and Mack shut down the production of Brockway.

[OPEN CAB MACK]

[quote name='Ladder 68' post='269987' date='Dec 31 2008, 17:14 ']To Open Cab Mack, mgk110, Shoop Rpaterson33 and everyone else who has provided photos and info about the PBF I want to say thank you. The PBF is one of the departments that as never had any real national attention or exposure and this thread has been a huge source of information and history for me.



Again thanks to everyone for contributing to this thread, which in my humble opinion, is one of the best ever on Firepics.net.



Have a safe and Happy New Year.[/quote]

They are the first organized labor firefighting local in the United States. That is why they are Local #1 I.A.F.F. And a Safe and Happy New Year to you and everyone else.

[OPEN CAB MACK]

[quote name='Ladder 68' post='269794' date='Dec 31 2008, 03:43 ']On the "Keystone Relics" page there is a photo of what looks like an ALF 900 snorkel. What are the specifics on this rig and what was its designation?



Thanks in advance.[/quote]

According to the late John Schmidt's book, the snorkels were purchased in 1972, they were American LaFrance 90' snorkels. Trucks 3 and 46 were changed to E.P 1 and E.P. 2. One was kept at old #3 which is now #4 on Forbes Ave. The other was kept on the North Sideat 33 Engine Co. These were staffed pieces of equipment until 1982, when the bureau went thru a major reorganization. These snorkels, or elevating platforms, as they were known as, became unmanned pieces in an on call need by the crews at stations 4 and 33. They were soon removed and sold at a city auction. These pieces were prone to tipping over and this helped expedite their removal.

[Guest]

Ladder 68,



Thanks. I'm glad that there are people interested in this stuff. I began my interest in Pittsburgh only about 2 years ago, and have learned a ton of stuff over those years, as well as received a lot of photos. I also recently gave photos for the Choice Fire Pittsburgh Series III trading cards, and hope to do more in the future.



Mike,



Not sure if they were all repainted, but I only have about 11 in black/yellow.



Happy New Years!

[e290l103]

I guess I will have to scan and post the stuff I have from the Steel City! I have about 40-50 slides at least

[Guest]

[quote name='Shoop' post='269330' date='Dec 29 2008, 21:00 ']Well the Pittsburgh rigs I posted on Keystone Relics got erased with the move of the server. I'm going to post them here, and hopefully add some more. I'm glad to see the PBF thread opened back up.







Truck 25

1974 ALF 100'

Tom Bair Photo







Truck 25

1978/74 ALF 100'

Tom Bair Photo







Truck 23

1974 ALF 100'

John Schmidt Photo







Truck 47

1974 ALF 100'

John Schmidt Photo







Truck 6

1987 Pierce/Smeal 105'

Denis Gardner Photo







Truck 8

1988 Pierce/Smeal 105'

Tom Bair Photo[/quote]





Great job on sharing the photo's. Love em, please keep them coming.

[1958 F.W.D.]

I wonder where that tub-o-crap Pioneer Tiller is nowadays? With any luck it's razor blades now.....Oh Hiya Joel! Just Kidding!!!! <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />

[Guest]

Here is a shot of EP2 at Station 43 taken back in the early 80s. Im not sure which of the 1971 ALF 90-foot AeroChiefs this one was. It is either ALF #12-1-2252 or #12-1-2253.

- Photo by Steve Skaar

[Guest]

Here was Engine 43's 1972 Mack R 1250/500 pumper, one of five delivered, Mack serial #'s R685F12-1051 thru 1055.

- Photo by Steve Skaar

[Guest]

Yeah Mike you've been holding back. I know you have at least some of the Macks. Maybe we can fill some of the gaps in between the bunch of us. Are most of yours from John Schmidt?

[nealcraig]

Love the older stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[OPEN CAB MACK]

[quote name='mgk110' post='270084' date='Dec 31 2008, 20:02 ']Open Cab Mack,



Were all the R's repainted yellow and black?



Have a Happy New Year.[/quote]

As far as I know, yes. The Ford/Grummans were delivered in this color. It was after the Steelers won their fourth Super Bowl and 2 years after the Pirates won the World Series. The sales rep. from Grumman talked Chief Charlie Lewis into delivering the new engines in this new color scheme. Soon after, all rigs were painted black over yellow gold. When John Leahy became chief in 1985 and ordered the 13 Pierce Dash engines, 5 Pierce rearmounts and the 5 tillers, he wanted white over red, and then all new apparatus was changed to this color scheme. The black and gold rigs remained in that color scheme, until removed and disposed of.

The city was generous in loaning equipment out to other municipalities, providing all was okay in the city. Well back in 1992, Tarentum Borough was completing a refurbishment program. Summit Hose had a 1977 Seagrave that was being refurbed by Kenco in Scottdale, PA. While their engine was in the shop, Summit had an "R" model on loan from the city. A very unusual site to see a black and gold "R" model Mack respondeing from the West Tarentum fire station to an alarm.

[OPEN CAB MACK]

[quote name='firebuff55407' post='270136' date='Dec 31 2008, 22:27 ']Here was Engine 43's 1972 Mack R 1250/500 pumper, one of five delivered, Mack serial #'s R685F12-1051 thru 1055.

- Photo by Steve Skaar[/quote]

If I am not mistaken, the 72 "R" models came with a booster reel mounted above the pump. the 73's had 1.5" preconnects over the pump and the booster reel mounted in a sump at the rear tailboard.

Shoop, my scanner was acting up the last time it was used. I am going to do my best. I guess this gives me a reason to buy a new one.

[GA_Dave]

Here is a shot of EP2 at Station 43 taken back in the early 80s. Im not sure which of the 1971 ALF 90-foot AeroChiefs this one was. It is either ALF #12-1-2252 or #12-1-2253.

#12-1-2253

[GA_Dave]

I've been asked to repost the 1988 Pierce TDA's I posted before the server change.

[GA_Dave]

Here's the other.

[MFD76]

[quote name='OPEN CAB MACK' post='269808' date='Dec 31 2008, 06:22 ']Before June of 1992, the bureau had 4 on an engine, a captain and 3 firefighters, 2 on a truck, a lieutenant and a firefighter and 4 in a squad. The squads at that time were at 11, 12, 24, 28, and 33. A first alarm anywhere in the city except the "Golden Triangle" and Oakland was 3 engines, 2 trucks a squad and a battalion chief. In the Golden Triangle and Oakland 4 engines, 2 trucks, 1 squad, 1 battalion chief, and the deputy chief responded. After yet another reorganization, the squads were eliminated, Engines 1, 14, and 33 eliminated. Trucks 1, 5, 7, 15, 18, 23, 27, 35, and 39. The quints went in service at 18, 23, and 27. The engines have 4, the trucks 4 and quints 4.[/quote]



Two on a Truck? Who tillered the Lt. or where there three on a Truck? How did Truck work happen, was the first alarm assigment beefed up? Thanks for the info. Also can some one list all of the previous assigments and current assigments?



Stay Safe, Rick

[Guest]

[quote name='OPEN CAB MACK' post='270194' date='Jan 1 2009, 09:00 ']If I am not mistaken, the 72 "R" models came with a booster reel mounted above the pump. the 73's had 1.5" preconnects over the pump and the booster reel mounted in a sump at the rear tailboard.

Shoop, my scanner was acting up the last time it was used. I am going to do my best. I guess this gives me a reason to buy a new one.[/quote]



Here's Engine 29's 1973 Mack R 1250/500 pumper, Mack #R685F12-1062, that shows the cross-lays above the pump.

- Photo by Steve Skaar

[Guest]

Here's Squad 3 running out of Station 43 in the early 80s. I believe it was a 1978 Dodge.

- Photo by Steve Skaar

[Guest]

And Battalion 6, in the new colors, running out of Engine 43's quarters in the early 80s, I have listed it as a 1981 Dodge.

- Photo by Steve Skaar