Telesquirts (Telesqurt)

[fyreline]

Chief when did you get involved with the specs of the apparatus. Was it not until you were put in charge of Fleet services or were you on the truck committee early on?

 

Believe it or not (I didn't, at the time) prior to 1995 there WAS no "Apparatus Committee". The Chief of Fire would call the Chief of the Division of Maintenance, and tell him he could buy X number of apparatus. Fortunately, we had a Chief of Training (Frank Burke) who was very knowledgeable and worked with the Chief of Fire to develop a vision of the first-generation SFD maxi-pumpers. Chief Burke basically designed the vehicle, and he did a damned fine job. After Chief Burke retired, his 1973 specs were used for succeeding generations of rigs up until 1995. I was a Captain at the time, and had apparently exhibited enough expertise in apparatus design that I was asked by the FD administration if I would chair a newly-formed Apparatus Advisory Committee. I would be able to choose the members, and decide how many of them there would be. I accepted the position in late 1995, and held it until my retirement in 2013.  I always kept my line positions as a Truck Company Captain, then District Chief, and finally as Deputy Chief of Operations. The Apparatus Advisory Committee consisted of myself, the Chief of the Division of Maintenance, his assistant (who basically supervised all the mechanics and ran the shop floor), and a rotating Captain for whatever type of apparatus was currently under consideration - Engine, Truck, Rescue,or HazMat. I was responsible for drawing up the detailed specifications of every Syracuse Fire Department vehicle from 1995 on. This smaller committee functioned very well over the years. When I was promoted to District Chief, the Chief of Fire informed me that the current Chief of the Division of Maintenance was preparing to retire, and he want to know if I would accept that position. I told him it certainly wasn't my "dream job"  - I was thoroughly enjoying my time in the red car, running alarms, and still being in the fire house with the guys. I really didn't want to give that up - my personal career goal had been to stay on the job until I was 55, and retire from the red car as a District (Battalion) Chief. At that point I had just turned 50, so I was a little ahead of schedule. Never the less, I gave the Chief the only proper answer - "If that's what you need me to do, you know I'll do my best." A few years later, I got a phone call at home late one evening. It was the Chief of Fire, and he said, "Well, you know what I'm going to ask you."  I told him I had already given him my answer, and when did I report to the new job? So, I became Chief of the Division of Maintenance in 2008. I did end up thoroughly enjoying that job, and we had been able to turn over the entire SFD fleet in about 10 years. My ongoing Capital Improvements Plan called for alternating-year acquisitions of 2 engines and 1 tower ladder every other year until the earth was level. Other apparatus such as a Heavy Rescue or HazMat/Command would be worked in as required, and the normal fleet vehicles - EMS squads, which had replaced our Mini-Pumpers, Chiefs Cars, support vehicles, etc. were also ordered every year as needed. As the Chief of Maintenance I was also responsible for all SFD facilities, buildings and grounds, plus all supplies. It was a daunting but rewarding job. When I became Chief of Maintenance, it eliminated the need for separate inclusion of that position on the Apparatus Advisory Committee so the committee was typically just myself, my assistant at maintenance, and whatever Company Captain was currently included. I made it a point to get to know not only the politicians on the City Council (who would have to approve funding), but also the people over at the Department of Purchase who had to see the bid process through. All good people to know. I also instituted the process of actually asking the more senior drivers for their opinions on what was working, and what wasn't, and what changes they would like to see. As they saw their suggestions start to turn up on new rigs, they became more responsive and the rigs were the better for it. 

 

It was a good ride, and I like to think we left things a little better than we found them. When I became Chairman of the new Apparatus Advisory Committee in 1995, I frequently commented that Syracuse had the very best 1973 fire apparatus on the planet . . . but of course, time marches on. I felt that we could do better, and the men deserved better. It took me over two years to draw up the specifications for the four pumpers that ended up being built by Saulsbury on Spartan chassis. While I did, in fact, start with a "clean sheet of paper", the resulting rigs still bore an amazing similarity of concept to the vehicles Chief Burke laid out in 1973. It's what works for us here in Syracuse.

 

Sorry to ramble on so long - To try to keep this "on topic" at least a little, I'll just include a picture of one of our 1st-generation 1973 Ward LaFrance engines as it appears now, after serving at two or three other departments after we disposed of it at auction: