Back in 1962 (I was 3), there was a fire a couple doors down from where I lived in Fredonia, NY. The local VFD arrived with two pumpers and a city service truck. This event began a lifelong fascination with fire apparatus for me. One of those pumpers was a 1953 FWD. It continued to serve Fredonia until replaced in 1986. It was sold to a member of the department who keeps it in his garage and it regularily attends local parades.
Growing up, I was one of those kids who always begged Dad to drive by the fire hall of every town we passed through just so I could check out what they had. As I got older, I would ride my bike from town to town, leaving noseprints on the glass of every fire hall for miles. Since most were VFD's, finding anyone around was a rare treat, but when I did, I would ask hundreds of questions about the rigs inside. It wasn't until 1981 that it occured to me to take photographs of the apparatus that I saw. Why it took me so long, I'll never figure out, but I frequently kick myself for not doing it much sooner.
I never had the opportunity to shoot the '53 FWD before it was retired and I moved to Atlanta in 1985. I've been trying to get a shot of it ever since, but I never seem to be able to time it right when I'm back home. The weather sucks or the owner isn't home or I run out of time and have to leave again. This year, 48 years after that fire, I was finally able to shoot old Engine 10. She has been well cared for by her owner and has never been restored.
Engine 10, Fredonia, NY (retired/collector owned)
1953 FWD F-75T
750/500
Growing up, I was one of those kids who always begged Dad to drive by the fire hall of every town we passed through just so I could check out what they had. As I got older, I would ride my bike from town to town, leaving noseprints on the glass of every fire hall for miles. Since most were VFD's, finding anyone around was a rare treat, but when I did, I would ask hundreds of questions about the rigs inside. It wasn't until 1981 that it occured to me to take photographs of the apparatus that I saw. Why it took me so long, I'll never figure out, but I frequently kick myself for not doing it much sooner.
I never had the opportunity to shoot the '53 FWD before it was retired and I moved to Atlanta in 1985. I've been trying to get a shot of it ever since, but I never seem to be able to time it right when I'm back home. The weather sucks or the owner isn't home or I run out of time and have to leave again. This year, 48 years after that fire, I was finally able to shoot old Engine 10. She has been well cared for by her owner and has never been restored.
Engine 10, Fredonia, NY (retired/collector owned)
1953 FWD F-75T
750/500
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