Syracuse FD Rescue & More . . .

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As the 1950s dawned, Syracuse’s Chief William Connelly was developing some definite ideas about what a true SFD Rescue Company might look like. Again (and no surprise), a larger vehicle would be required to support all the equipment that might be required. Some of the nation’s largest cities – New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, etc. – had found success in using large, van-style walk-in rescues from manufacturers such as Gerstenslager and Approved Fire Equipment located in Rockville Center, NY.  It was decided to model the new SFD rescue vehicle after these units. Accordingly, A Senior Model Rescue was ordered from AFE, to be built on a 1951 GMC Model HC-754 chassis (#BC745254). The wheelbase stretched to 201 inches, and air brakes were a first for SFD apparatus. A total of 22 compartments were provided, along with a larger 10kW generator. The cost for his new unit came to $27,750 and it arrived in the city on July 28, 1952. Once the new vehicle was n town, training commenced for the new crews put together to man it. Finally, on August 20, 1952, Rescue Company 1 went into service. 

 



 

The new company proved to be very busy, and by the mid-1960s the wear and tear was beginning to show on the vehicle. Plans were already being developed for a replacement.

 



 

Before the new rig could be delivered, on July 14, 1965 Rescue 1 was involved in a collision with a Greyhound bus on Montgomery & Taylor Streets while responding to an alarm. The front end damage was considerable, but repairable . . . and the old 1941 Light Squad unit was pressed back into service in the interim.