1954 American LaFrance one of four purchased by the Shawnee Twp of Johnson County, Kansas. The four engines were given to Lenexa, Monrovia, South Park, and Lake Quivira for their use in the city limits as long as the engine responded to unincorperated Shwnee Twp on fires. A large prade in October 1954 was held through all Northern Johnson County Citys to welcome the four new Engines.
The Lenexa, Monrovia, and South Park engines had 750gpm pumps with electric booster reels and the Lake Quivira Engine had a 500gpm pump with manual booster reels. Now the funny part Lenexa, South Park, and Lake Quivira had drivers left side pump panels and the Monrovia Engine had a officers right side pump panel.
In 1962 Monrovia was anexed into the City of Shwnee and this unit was transfered to become a city fire engine. Monrovia Sent their newer Ford Cab over ALF to Lake Quivira and Lake Quivira sent there 1954 ALF engine to Shawnee as part of the deal. This Engien became the First Shawnee Engine 3 in 1971 and served at 3's until 1974 and then became a reserve. Both remained with Shawnee until 1980 and were sold.
This engine went to a small Missouri town and was kept in the orginal condtion and very well cared for. In late 2005 this small town recieved a fire act grant and called Shawnee and asked if they would like their Engine back. The Cheif at Shwnee said we will add it to the our colletion consisting of a Fully Restored 1930 REO Speedwagon and a Open Top 1955 Howe Defender. It was returned and with just gold leaf added it returned to service. The City Manager asked that it be lettered Shawnee instead of Monrovia. It door logo reflects how all four looked in 1954 at delivery.
(The 1930 REO Speed Wagon is in the transport trailer in the back ground. It is the baby of the three)
This is an example of a bad idea with good intentions. When the first lease purchase was done in 1996 for Pumpers and Rescues they looked at the entire fleet and determinded the inservice Engines ranging from 1979-1995 were not suited for reserve service.
In 1997 KCFD took delivery of four E\-One/ Freightliner Engines for reserve use only. Three RP 2,3,4 were 1250/500 and RP 1 was 1250/1000. These proved to small and underpowered for even reserve use. One however was traded with the Cyclone II Pumper at Pumper 1 since they needed 1000gal tank in the area they cover. Now all are retired and gone.
Both of our Pierce's suffered an Arson Fire in late 1983 inside the Fire House. The three career firemen awoke at 0500 with both rigs on fire in the bay. Only the cabs were destoryed and they were refurbed at Pierce and the Tower retested at LTI. So they have 1984 cabs with the Truck beign a 1980 and Engine a 1983. Both units were given refurb numbers.
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