Kansas City area fire apparatus

[MFD76]

[quote name='Steve Loftin' date='03 January 2010 - 04:05 PM' timestamp='1262555118' post='356108']

Shawnee, KS



1972 ALF Ladder Chief #14-1-3068

1000/200/100'

Diesel/automatic

Ladder 750



1964 ALF #8-1-9687

1000/500

Diesel (repower)/?

Engine 721



(SL photos)

[/quote]



I remember 750 as a kid. It was the FIRST Aerial Ladder in Johnson County. Olathe had a 1971 Snorkel and Overland Park had a 1971 ALF Aero Chief, but by deffention they were not Ladders. So SFD took the cake for having a true ladder truck. Lenexa purchased a ALF 100ft Century in 1978.



750 was cursed from the start. It always had big ladder issues and was sold in 1989 only sixteen years of service. I believe the ladder failed the test in 1989 and that was the deciding factor. It was delivered two years late and the fire chief eventually lost his job because once it was delivered it had big issues. They did however run it as a true truck company and it made all the fires. It was a neat rig aside from the issues a great deep RED. It also carried a Life Net purchased from the factory. That was always a big thing Shawnee has the net if you need it. I believe OPFD's Aero Chief also carried a Life Net and Olathe's Seagrave Quad.



721 the 1964 Super Pumper was refurbished at ALF in 1978-79. It was re powered with a Detroit. This rig was the queen of the SFD. They loved her and she was at that point lettered Super Pumper. She left in the late 1980's and they now regret letting her go. She was the first big custom pumper purchased by SFD besides the open top 1955 Howe Defender. SFD still owns the Howe. Super Pumper was the primary reserve once she returned from ALF.



Thanks for posting, great photos.

Rick