Syracuse, New York

[Guest]

Perhaps I can clear up a few of the questions raised. Sorry to have missed you guys, I have been quite busy since my retirement in September. In any case, I probably would have just recommended that you contact the Duty Deputy Chief anyway, so it sounds as though you made out OK. Anyway, here we go:


First off, Syracuse does not, and never did, run Quints. The engines equipped with telescoping booms are straight engine companies with the enhanced capability of the elevated master stream. They are not equipped, manned, or dispatched as Quints. Likewise, the tower ladders are straight truck companies, not Quints.


The 135' aerial ladder ("Ladder 1") is a special-call rig which is manned by the Squad Company and may be taken on any alarm the officer sees fit. It is typically taken to all high-rise buildings and Syracuse University dormitories, or anywhere that it's high reach may prove useful.


The yellow engines are basically used as training engines for our recruit classes until they go to auction - which they will soon. That keeps us from tying up a good spare or risking a blown engine or pump by a recruit. The Ford Explorer labeled "EMS" is used as a fly car for the paramedics staffing our EMS Division at the Training Academy. they may respond to any medical alarm or MVA where their added expertise (and extra hands) may be of use. It is designated as "Medic 1".


The many rigs labeled as "use unknown" are various support rigs used by the SFD. The blue Ford Focus is one of a pair assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau for inspectors to use. The 500 Van is used as a personnel transport for classes, continuing education, funerals, etc. The pickup trucks are for the Division of Maintenance & the Division of Training for yard use. The white boom truck is for our Department Electrician, who also helps maintain the Opticom traffic signal pre-emption system installed on nearly all Syracuse intersections.


The bus is used by the Division of Training for SFD recruit classes (we have a class of 25 starting next month). It has a Sutphen grille because the then-current Chief of Maintenance wanted it to. So there. And yes,it sure could use a new coat of paint. We'll see.


Hope that helps a little. Those are some great shots- sorry for the iffy sunshine, but welcome to Syracuse!

Thanks Chief.  We had a great day, and the hospitality shown by the members at each and every station, was perhaps the best I have ever encountered by a department of this size.  The last time I photographed the entire SFD, was in 1992.  I brought a selection of those photos with me, as almost all of those rigs are long gone.  Did that ever bring a smile to a lot of the members faces as they started talking about the old days, and even the younger members were enjoying it.