The DCFD let a $56,000 contract in the year1946-47 for two wagons and two ladder trucks, all American LaFrance 700-series apparatus. The trucks went in service with Truck Companies 4 and 11. These were the department’s first 4-section aerials, allowing the tillerman to gain a few seconds on the fireground by not having to throw the tiller assembly.
C.1947 parade photograph, Pennsylvania Ave at 14th St. NW, photographer unknown
The DCFD let a $56,000 contract in the year1946-47 for two wagons and two ladder trucks, all American LaFrance 700-series apparatus. The trucks went in service with Truck Companies 4 and 11. These were the department’s first 4-section aerials, allowing the tillerman to gain a few seconds on the fireground by not having to throw the tiller assembly.
C.1947 parade photograph, Pennsylvania Ave at 14th St. NW, photographer unknown[/quote]
A large part of my collection was purchased from a GOOD man, John Floyd. I give him FULL credit on his work, although I may miss something. Thanks John. Also Scott Mattson, Warren Jenkins, Michael Schwartzberg, and Mike Sanders. Thanks Guys.
Rescue Squad 1’s 700-series American LaFrance was formerly Engine Co. 19, but was found inadequate for pulling the hills in southeast DC (as often is the case, I’m informed by firehouse lore and photos off of the firehouse wall – all corrections welcome).
Engine Co. 19 received one of the two wagons from the 1946-47 purchase, and Engine 16 was to receive the other, but the two rigs ultimately ended up as Rescue Squad 1 and Rescue Squad 2.
Rescue Squad 1’s 700-series American LaFrance was formerly Engine Co. 19, but was found inadequate for pulling the hills in southeast DC (as often is the case, I’m informed by firehouse lore and photos off of the firehouse wall – all corrections welcome).
Engine Co. 19 received one of the two wagons from the 1946-47 purchase, and Engine 16 was to receive the other, but the two rigs ultimately ended up as Rescue Squad 1 and Rescue Squad 2.
C.1947 image, Photographer unknown.[/quote]
Kevin:
The E19/16 story is interesting, but in my research shows the apparatus was delivered without Company numbers. I heard it was the desire of the Department to have new rigs with both Rescue Squads, but funds were not available. So the DCFD repair shop on North Carolina Avenue added Compartments to the Hose Beds and re lettered the rigs for Rescue Squads 1 and 2. In the early 1950's 2 new Pirsch Rescues Squads were delivered and the two ALF's were re converted by the shop and sent as "twin" Wagon and Pumper to Engine 19. Rescue Squad 1's rig had been repaired following a MVA with an open cab. As far as the hill climbing ability, the Wagons had the same ALF V-12 as the Trucks and Truck 4's rig ran as Truck 16 starting in the 1950's when Truck 4 recieved a new rig. Some things never change, as the New Jesey Avenue companies are still treated "special". <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='^_^' />
The E19/16 story is interesting, but in my research shows the apparatus was delivered without Company numbers. I heard it was the desire of the Department to have new rigs with both Rescue Squads, but funds were not available. So the DCFD repair shop on North Carolina Avenue added Compartments to the Hose Beds and re lettered the rigs for Rescue Squads 1 and 2. In the early 1950's 2 new Pirsch Rescues Squads were delivered and the two ALF's were re converted by the shop and sent as "twin" Wagon and Pumper to Engine 19. Rescue Squad 1's rig had been repaired following a MVA with an open cab. As far as the hill climbing ability, the Wagons had the same ALF V-12 as the Trucks and Truck 4's rig ran as Truck 16 starting in the 1950's when Truck 4 recieved a new rig. Some things never change, as the New Jesey Avenue companies are still treated "special". <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/happy.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='^_^' />[/quote]
I have no idea what engines were in those DCFD ALFs but in the same time period, Boston bought three 85' spring-raised tractor drawn 700 Series ALF aerials and they had small Continental gas engines and could not climb hills. They were eventually retractored. Boston, New York and Chicago were still buying spring raised, wooden aerial ladders into the 1950s.
Thanks for the tip Hawkins Point and feuerwehr75. I know Hawkins will appreciate this photo:
In 1932, Washington DC took delivery on a 65’ water tower, the last one produced by Seagrave. This particular piece of apparatus was also Seagraves’s last chain drive. The wide fantail on this rig made it a “flying-wedge” a decade ahead of the 700-series ALF apparatus. Assigned shop number S-13, it ran from the quarters of Truck Co. 3, 1018 13th St. NW. WT-1 was a two-piece company that responded with the tower, hose tender and a four-man crew. DC began to purchase metal aerial ladders in 1938 and had a dozen within ten years, rendering the water tower obsolete. WT-1 disbanded in the early 1950’s and the apparatus was scrapped in 1956.
The image is Pennsylvania Ave at 14th St. NW, c.1947. Photographer unknown
When the 1932 tower went in service at Truck 3’s quarters it replaced S-501, a 1922 American LaFrance Type 31/ 75’ Champion. The 1922 rig became Water Tower 2 and transferred to Truck 6’s quarters on Park Rd. NW. “Extra” on-duty 4th Battalion personnel staffed it on an ad-hoc basis. In 1940, Water Tower 2 transferred to the quarters of Engine Co. 31, where it remained until being disposed in 1952.
1972 Postcard photo by Jim Fahey; caption info on card by Gil Jory and Bill Murray, author of “The Rigs of the Unheralded Heroes.”
Another image from the firehouse wall, photographer unknown
Water Tower 1 ran as a two-piece company (did WT-2 run 2-piece? Anyone?) with a converted 1932 Seagrave as Water Tower Tender 1. Through the 1930's and 1940's the DCFD ran Plan H, in which the tender responded in advance of the tower to prepare all hose layouts and setups. It appears from the photo that the tender may also have been used for salvage company operations, judging from the rack of salvage covers on the running board and the peripheral jet siphon on the tailboard.
Another image from the firehouse wall, photographer unknown
Water Tower 1 ran as a two-piece company (did WT-2 run 2-piece? Anyone?) with a converted 1932 Seagrave as Water Tower Tender 1. Through the 1930's and 1940's the DCFD ran Plan H, in which the tender responded in advance of the tower to prepare all hose layouts and setups. It appears from the photo that the tender may also have been used for salvage company operations, judging from the rack of salvage covers on the running board and the peripheral jet siphon on the tailboard.
Is that a CO2 horn between the hard sleeves?[/quote]
Well there's a bottle arrangement in front of the reel, so...
Thanks for the tip Hawkins Point and feuerwehr75. I know Hawkins will appreciate this photo:
In 1932, Washington DC took delivery on a 65’ water tower, the last one produced by Seagrave. This particular piece of apparatus was also Seagraves’s last chain drive. The wide fantail on this rig made it a “flying-wedge” a decade ahead of the 700-series ALF apparatus. Assigned shop number S-13, it ran from the quarters of Truck Co. 3, 1018 13th St. NW. WT-1 was a two-piece company that responded with the tower, hose tender and a four-man crew. DC began to purchase metal aerial ladders in 1938 and had a dozen within ten years, rendering the water tower obsolete. WT-1 disbanded in the early 1950’s and the apparatus was scrapped in 1956.
The image is Pennsylvania Ave at 14th St. NW, c.1947. Photographer unknown[/quote]
This rig carried Seagrave Model No. 656 and Serial No. 69510. It was sold to a junk dealer in 1956! What Ashamed!!
John Hinant Retired Member of Richmond VA Fire Bureau
October 25, 1858 - October 25, 2020 = 162 years old The sixth oldest paid, documented, Fire Department in the United States First established in 1782
"In God We Trust - All Others We Take For Granted"
[quote name='tcosgrovejones' post='171667' date='Dec 15 2007, 16:47 ']Hey Jaws ! Here is one for you. The New Wecker Towing Your Wagon today <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />
Seems the ECM would not let it shift <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/shrug.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />
Cosgr <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/stirpot.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> ve
[/quote]
We ended up getting the lemon among that group of Seagraves purchased in late 06...and we also had the lemon of the E-Ones purchased back in 2000.
Had a few questions I recently seen R1 running with an American La France rescue is this a spare unit? Is there any new rescues on order. Any pics of the collapse rescue support units. What ever happened to the Pierce tiller that was used byT15 I read that it failed ladder testing; do they still have it or are there plains to repair it.
You probable saw the '98 ALF Eagle/Beaverbuilt rig formerly assigned to Rescue Squad 3 and Haz Mat. I think it is referred to as the Special Operations Unit now.
06-28-2008, 11:33 AM (This post was last modified: 06-28-2008, 11:35 AM by resqguy.)
[quote name='Ladder 68' post='224359' date='Jun 25 2008, 18:09 ']You probable saw the '98 ALF Eagle/Beaverbuilt rig formerly assigned to Rescue Squad 3 and Haz Mat. I think it is referred to as the Special Operations Unit now.
Corrections welcome.[/quote]
No you got it about right. This has been brought up a few times already on the board.
[quote name='ResQguy' post='224903' date='Jun 28 2008, 09:34 ']No you got it about right. This has been brought up a few times already on the board.[/quote]
[quote name='willman940' post='225013' date='Jun 28 2008, 16:42 ']is that rig featured on this thread?[/quote]
Picture can be found here: [url="http://fdnytrucks.com/files/html/otherstates/washingtondc.htm"]http://fdnytrucks.com/files/html/otherstat...ashingtondc.htm[/url]
Scroll down, its between the old E-1 HAZ MAT and pictures of E13
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