Dallas Fire Department Apparatus

[MFD76]

Engine 31.  Photographed while visiting the Spring 1995 North Texas Historical Fire Society Muster.  Not sure of the year.



Engine 31 and Rescue 31 at White Rock Lake.

Any info on the model year is appreciated. 

 

This is a unique machine. These Dallas ALF Century Series were part of a large joint city-state order. American LaFrance called these Centuries Interstate Specials. The name is derived from Interstate 35. The departments included in the order were Dallas, Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Wichita, Kansas, Kansas City, Missouri all on Interstate 35. The cities agreed on a mutual acceptable spec with a urban features. They had triple front door hinges, no curved glass in the jump seat window, stainless pump panel, Stang Intelligent "Getto" Deck Pipes. Most came with standard Whelen warning lights and bumper mounted CP siren speakers. None of them were factory delivered with Federal Q Sirens from the initial five city order. Although Kansas City retro fitted three of the six with Federal Q's. As Lindsay mentioned this order began the return of RED with first time white over red to the DFD from White over Lime Green. Dallas Fire Chief Dod who was relatively newly appointed making his first apparatus purchase as fire chief like most of us agreed that fire engines and fire trucks are RED. So they where delivered white over red. I believe this also marked the first deliveries with the DFD door logo and large block numbers. Paint in the order Dallas white over red, Fort Worth solid white, OKC solid red, Wichita solid lime-green, KCFD white over lime green. three of the six KCFD ALF's were eventually painted white over red.  There were a few add on orders to the large order from some smaller departments. Tulsa, Oklohoma and Grandview, Missouri come to mind as add-on's to the order. GA Dave and My friend Steve Loftin have been great educators for me on the Interstate Specials. Interesting enough my home town of Arlington, Texas began the transition from solid RED to White over Red with white wheels when Dallas made the change. 

 

Stay Safe,

Rick