Lawrence since 1978 painted their rigs in an unsual green color. To some it looks mint, others a brighter green. It had to be custom mixed for each rig purchased, needless to say only the fire and ambulances were green. All staff cars and pick-ups and Batt Chief truck were red due to the cost of repainting. I have always called and heard it called Lawrence Green, however a firend told me it is American LaFrance Green. Chief James McSwan developed this color when he came to Lawrence in 1978. He was quite the change agent. Sadly in the late 1980's he repainted Lawrence's classic LaFrance Ladder Chief and one of three 1967 Seagrave Engines. When he retired in 2005 the Deputy Chief was appointed the new Fire Chief and changed the rigs back to white over red. Quint 1 was delivered in 2006 in the new red color. All six Ambulances are red now also.
Lawrence operates a tradtional Truck and Engine concept except four Engine's are Quints with 75ft Ladders. This switch started in 1992. Fire House Five which is in the center of Lawrence stills runs a dry no pump 100ft Truck Company as Ladder 5 and Engine 5 runs a true Engine Company both units respond city wide on all fires due to their location.
The blue strip was add after Lawrence Fire Department took over and combine with Douglas County Ambulance Service (DCAS) during 1996-1997 and Formed Lawrence Dougals County Fire and Medical. Still refered to by the firemen as Lawrence Fire Department. They only provide fire in the City of Lawrence and Ambulance in both the City and County. This was when the blue strip was added before only the black strip was on Lawrence Fire Units.
1994 Smeal 493020 3/94 75ft Ladder and body on a 1992 Spartan cab. 1500/300
This was the first of three Smeals to be purchased Quint 3 and Truck Ladder 5. This will become a primary spare unit in the next few weeks.
After this unit it was determined all future quints would be real ladders. This unit is refered to as the Franken-Quint it has been very problematic since delivery and will not be kept as a spare. It will be sisposed of in the next few weeks. More too follow....
[quote name='Toneslider12' post='307891' date='May 23 2009, 12:59 ']The Green Lawrence rigs are so very rarely seen, good work and keep um coming! I think the HME Truck Co. looks very sharp with the old colors.[/quote]
I am glad you like them. I agree Ladder 5 is unique with the Low profile cab and Super HD Smeal Ladder. It also carries a 40ft Bangor Ladder in the rear. Ladder 5 used to be at Fire House 1 as Ladder 1 and needed the low profie to clear the bay door. Ladder 2 and 5 were specialy designed for Lawrence. Chief McSwan wanted Ladders that were super heavy duty to evacuate students from the Dorms on the KU Campus. Sturdy they are.
The green is a unique color and is all Lawrence although the firemen for years pushed for red but Chief McSwan stood by his decision. He brought Green, EMS, Quints, Testing for promotion, Part-time firemen called Extra Board, and ISO Class II rating. He was quite the change agent and many of his changes made Lawrence a much better fire department. Although not always popular he was very respected in the Kansas Fire Service. I found him to be an extremly nice man.
Ladder 2 the spare is a 1986 Spartan-LTI-FMC Constoga 100ft the is a carbon copy of the 1982 Pierce Arrow LTI's that Metro Dade ordered. They were the LTI Tower Ladders without the buckett. In fact Lawrence rejected the first Ladder 2 because LTI used a differnt ladder than what was Metro Dade spec.
Sadly romor is the current chief would like to remove Ladder 5 and Engine 5 from service in the next two years and place a Tower Ladder Quint at 5's with the Heavy Rescue that is on order from Pierce right now. The new Tower Quint will not respond city wide and only in its first due for fires. It will be hard becuse Ladder 5 is the city wide Truck and works as the only Truck at fires. It also has specialized equiptment and Lots and Lots of ground ladders that most quints don't have room for. Oh well we will see many members are rejecting this idea.
Note: Delivered with Federal Power Speaker Lights, Electronic Speaker and Mini Bars were added in 1990's. Blue strip added after the consolidation of the Ambulance Service.
This is the all time special truck. It was speced to be ultra Heavy Duty. LTI Tower Ladder with no Basket. Chief McSwan wanted this Ladder to be able to mass evacuate students from the KU dorms and wanted the highest tip load made. Pre 1986 Lawrence operated a 1972 100ft ALF Ladder Chief and 1967 85ft Pierce Snorkel. Ladder 2 the spare is a 1986 Spartan-LTI-FMC Constoga 100ft this is a carbon copy of the 1982 Pierce Arrow LTI's that Metro Dade ordered. They were the LTI Tower Ladders without the buckett. In fact Lawrence rejected the first Ladder 2 because LTI used a different ladder than what was Metro Dade spec. The trucks delivery was delayed by two years because of the mis match on the ladder. Neat story. Also carries a 40ft Bangor Ladder.
Ladder 2 does have LDH hose storage in first highside that lays out through rear. Even thought it is dry with no pump or tank. Very intresting that St. Louis Quints model this concept.
Helmet Fronts on dash reflect the old Lawrence Fire Department. Yes Lawrence wears Tradtional Carins 1010's and Carins Leather Sam Houstons N6A now although a few firemen still have the Metro 660 salad bowl helmets.
Here's another rig in "Lawrence Lime", taken at Pierce in 1989. It was back for some tailboard repairs after an MVA. Not sure of the details, but it's an early Pierce Lance 1500 GPM.
[quote name='GA_Dave' post='308140' date='May 24 2009, 08:31 ']Here's another rig in "Lawrence Lime", taken at Pierce in 1989. It was back for some tailboard repairs after an MVA. Not sure of the details, but it's an early Pierce Lance 1500 GPM.[/quote]
I miss the old strip and door logos before EMS was added. Engine 2 pictured is one of two purchased in 1986 the other is Engine 3 now Engine 7 (Reserve) at Fire House 1. Engine2 had an electronic siren speaker added in the front bumper center after the accident. It served at Engine 2 its entire career and now is Engine 6 (Reserve) at Fire House 5. They replaced the Federal Aero Dynic Light bars on both of the Pierce Lances with Code Three MX7000's a few years ago. Engine 3 the twin now 7 never had a bumper mounted speaker added, however it now has one CPI speaker behind the grill. I have the vin numbers at home for both rigs Engine 2 (6) was #1 and Engine 3 (7) was #2 off the line at Pierce.
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