Virginia apparatus - miscellaneous

[mnsand]

Last from Selma is their station. Their are also two other bays on the right side.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Last stop from this Virginia trip was Bluefield, Virginia (where American LaFrance once made fire apparatus). I wish I had a week to spend visiting FD's in the Tazewell County area. I suspect there are some unique apparatus.



Bluefield radio ID's for their trucks are "Unit", which is not an uncommon practice for some FD's in Southern Virginia.



Unit 73 (Engine)

1994 HME/ALF

1250/1000

s/n 2151



runs first due on calls within Bluefield





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Unit 72 (engine) is a 1986 Duplex/Grumman 1000/1000 with s/n 17687FC.



It is Bluefield VFD third out engine.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Unit 76 is another engine, a 1999 Freightliner/3D Metals 1500/1000/30/20 with s/n 3137.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Unit 74 is the department's tanker, a 1982 Ford 8000 built by 4-Guys. 500/2100. No s/n found.



Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

I found this unique and a truck that handles a variety of functions.



Unit 77 is a 2000 Ford F550 built by American LaFrance. 100/300/30 with the pump panel in the rear. It carries a variety of extrication tools. S/N 3291.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

The departments Utility truck that carries some HAZMAT equipment and operates as a Traffic Unit is Unit 79.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Last from Bluefield is the station - unique how it was built into the hill.



The FD has on order a new Pierce aerial, and I was told that the ladder will be painted blue.



They also still own a 1972 Ford C900/Oren 750/750 s/n 3192 that was not running and will probably be sold soon. It is Unit 78.



For those roster fans, also at Bluefield is Unit 70 (1986 Chevy Caprice), Unit 75 (1986 Suburban), and Unit 71 (2001 Ford Excursion - command unit).



That wraps up these Virginia posts.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[firemag]

Wonderful, as usual. Thank you Mike!!!!!!!!

[mnsand]

[quote name='mnsand' post='230758' date='Jul 18 2008, 21:19 ']At this point, it was getting very late in the afternoon and I was loosing sun and needed to be back on the road. I did however make a quick stop at the Upper King and Queen VFD to see what was behind the bay doors.



They run a Ford F/E-One engine and a Chevrolet/S&S tanker that also came from Frog Level.



They also have this mini which they run as Brush 14.



I am posting this hoping someone might know where it served prior to Upper King and Queen purchasing it. The VFD puchased it from a used apparatus dealer several years ago. If no one has the info, I will call the dealer to see if I can track it down.





Brush 14

1982 Chevrolet Scottsdale 30/1983 E\-One

unknown gpm/gwt

E\-One s/n 2960



Any help is appreciated.



Thank you,





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA





My thanks to Jerry Puryear for tracking down where this truck originally served prior to Upper King & Queen VFD.



It was originally delivered to the Banner Elk VFD in North Carolina. They then sold it to Crossnore VFD in North Carolina. In October of 2005, it was sold to Upper King & Queen VFD.



Thanks again Jerry,





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA[/quote]

[Truckman]

Mike, it is always great to see your photos in here. As "Firemag" said - Wonderful as usual!!

[mnsand]

I recently had the opportunity to visit several fire stations during a trip from Richmond, Virginia to the Lynchburg area. I had the typical challenges of finding some folks at the stations, but once that was done, the members were outstanding and took the time to move apparatus around. I did, however, battle our high humidity/temperatures and clouds off and on. Overall, a fun visit to some departments I have never visited.



First up is Blackstone, Virginia located in Nottoway County. My timing was good because as I pulled up to the station, two guys were just ready to leave and close the station up tight. They were excited to have someone drop by and were very accomodating.



In order of the apparatus photographed.....



Blackstone, VA

Nottoway County

Engine 3

1986 Ford C8000/Grumman Firecat

1000/1000

s/n 17552





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Engine 5 at Blackstone is this 2003 Pierce Dash 1500/780/50 with job number 14753.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

I find it interesting the number of older Mack CF aerialscopes in service at Virginia stations. I have run into a variety during the past year.



Truck 9 at Blackstone is this 1971 Mack CF that had a rehab in 1988. 75' with CF608FAP1142. It originally served Cherry Hill, NJ and was then sold to Avery, North Carolina. Blackstone purchased it from Avery in 2003. Prior to red and white, I believe it was one time lime or yellow in color.



I am told this is the Mack that Corgi did their model from. I am sure there is some additional history on this truck - does anyone have photos of this Mack while in service in either Cherry Hill or Avery?





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

I like this tanker from Blackstone.....a 1991 Ford F800/S&S 500/1600. It runs as Tanker 7.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Rescue duties are handled by Rescue 10, a 1998 Freightliner 70 with a 1999 Hackney body.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Blackstone houses the county HAZMAT truck for Nottoway. It is lovingly referred to as the "Bread truck".



HAZMAT 1 is a 2004 Grumman-Olson.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Brush 6 at Blackstone is one "solid" truck. It was built by the town's maintenance department in 1979 on a Dodge chassis. I was told that when the opportunity came up for the town to purchase the FD a new brush truck, the FD made the decision to keep the Dodge and just get a new skid mount, which they did.



1979 Dodge Power Wagon 30/Local/2003 Slagle's Skid

200/250/5





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

Engine 4 will probably be the next truck replaced at Blackstone. It is a 1981 Ford C8000/Grumman Firecat 1000/750 with s/n 16242.





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA

[mnsand]

The Blackstone VFD has kept its history alive by keeping a variety of antique apparatus. The department has an old 1903 hose reel that was restored as well as a 1946 ALF engine that is kept in a shed and is in need of a restoration, which the VFD hopes to do in the future.



In addition, Blackstone also owns an old 1935 Chevrolet/Roanoke Welding Company 500gwt. The blue prints for this truck is hanging in the station and notes that it was "sold by LR Hunter (Charlotte, NC)".





Mike Sanders

Ashburn, VA