Fire Apparatus - Miscellaneous

You can find just about anything out of the ordinary here on the Miscellaneous page. What started out as a place to post crash trucks became a catchall for everything from crash trucks, to seaplanes, to stations, parades, odd trucks and equipment. Check it out. Newly added items are place in the front so start there and work your way to the end. There is lots of interesting things to see here. Last updated November 27, 2005

Two of the lovely women firefighters from the Women of Firefighting calendar seen here at a Denver FD station practicing their pole technics.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Goodwill Fire Company in Bridgeport operates this 1988 Ford pickup which they identify as Traffic 32. I guess the fire police use this vehicle.

A recently acquired command vehicle used by the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.
(Click on image for full size view.)

This is the decal found on the side of USNA apparatus and on their patch. Go Navy.
(Click on image for full size view.)

A 1999 T-3000 crash truck from BWI Airport in Maryland. This is only the second red crash truck I have seen but I was told this is the new color for this type of equipment.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Another 1999 T-3000 crash truck from BWI Airport in Maryland, but the passenger side. Those thick clouds in the background yielded some heavy snow flurrys before my picture taking was completed. The shot above was taken the following day after the front passed.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Here's a back to the future scene at the Millville Fire Company's parking lot in Millville, DE. Their blue 1955 Cadallic and their newest ambulance a new Freightliner. I need more info on the new ambulance.
(Click on image for full size view.)

This is a former National Guard duce and a half that has been turned into a monster brush truck. This 1968 Jeep belongs to Bethany Beach (DE) Fire Company and its for sale from what I was told. Like the Army's version this truck will go anywhere.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Back in early March a former British firefighter by the name of Swasie Turner decided to roll his manually operated wheelchair from Washington, DC to NYC in an effort to raise money for families of fallen FDNY firefighters from the 9-11 incident. Mr. Turner lost his leg in the line of duty. He is seen here in this image passing through Burlington, NJ along US-301 headed north. NYC is still a long ways off and its getting cold. I am sure he made it, but never saw anything on the news or how much money was raised along the route. Each town's fire department provided escort for Mr. Turner and group with normally between 6-8 trucks following behind the walkers.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Birdsboro (PA) Fire Company's new chief car, an x-police car, just got repainted into the fire companies newly adopted paint scheme.
(Click on image for full size view.)

This odd looking truck is a neighborhood crash (foam) truck and belongs to the Marrero-Harvey (LA) Volunteer Fire Company located in Marrero, LA. This 1980 Fire "X" was just recently refurbed. The next picture is the older version prior to refurb.
(Click on image for full size view.)

This 6 wheel drive monster truck carries 3000 gallons of water and 300 gallons of foam. Truck 809 was built back in 1980 by Fire "X" out of California, but is still on duty at Station 80 in Marrero, LA located on the New Orleans West Bank. Primary mission for this vehicle is to deliver water to remote locations and foam in the event of a fire at one of the several oil field and chemical businesses in the area. Although this picture was taken back on Jan 30, 1987, the unit is still in service today.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Even a Wilmington fire department fire boat, the "Firefighter", got into the act at the 80th Anniversary celebration in Wilmington, DE a couple of weeks ago during the fire department muster held at the riverfront.
(Click on image for full size view.)

This bagpipe and drum corps is typical of the types of groups that march in fire engine parades up in the Northeast area of the USA. Lots of fire department tradition is tied to the bagpipes and groups.
(Click on image for full size view.)

An apparatus dedicated strickly for air and light is operated by the Viscose Volunteer Fire Company who recently merged with the Marcus Hook (PA) Volunteer Fire Company since both are in the same town. This is a 1998 Spartan/New Lexington rig.
(Click on image for full size view.)

All controls for the air and light rig are controlled at the rear of the apparatus. The operator is adjusting the light tower with a walk-around controller. This is the same rig as pictured above and is operated by the Viscose Volunteer Fire Company in Marcus Hook, PA.
(Click on image for full size view.)

A beautiful station belonging to Croft (SC) fire department near Spartanburg, SC. That's their 1998 Pierce Quantum out front.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Squad 2 is a 1989 Ford high expansion foam applicator truck owned and operated by the Croft Fire Department in Croft, South Carolina. Air is sucked in at the fan on the top of the bed of the truck while water and foam are mixed in the enclosed compartment. A long distribution hose is stretched behind the truck to apply the foam where needed.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Another interesting piece belonging to the Croft (SC) Fire Department is this former 1973 Seagrave ladder truck that was converted in 1990 into a special operatins vehicle by Hackney in North Carolina. Looks like a very neat job both inside and out on this Hackney rebuild.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Murrell's Inlet-Garden City, SC fire department runs this 1982 E-One/Chevy as their fire support vehicle service as a base for supplies ranging from diving tanks to extra hoses.
(Click on image for full size view.)

This sharp looking brush truck belongs to the Roebuck, SC fire department and is a 1984 E-One on a GMC chassie. Roebuck is located near Spartanburg, SC in the northern part of the state.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Save from the military, this 1987 Hummer was converted into a brush truck and is assigned to Station 25 in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina.
(Click on image for full size view.)

All of Conway, South Carolina's fire department turned out for this shot. See individual unit shots of some of their equipment on other pages.
(Click on image for full size view.)

This 1996 E-One is assigned to Charleston (SC) AFB in Charleston, South Carolina This is a P-23 model foam truck assigned to the base.
(Click on image for full size view.)

A very sharp looking EMS Special Operations command center. This monster belongs to Charleston County, South Carolina and is a 1999 Taylor. This unit is equipped with a compressor station for refilling SCBA bottles, diver bottles, EMS equipement, you name it, it's probably here.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Besides the central station, Station 12 is one of the nicest looking stations I have been to in Columbia, SC. Engine 12, a 1990 E-One pumper and a ladder truck are assigned to this station.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Equipped for forest fire fighting, this very large seaplane, as compared to the private plane in the foreground, can either skim over the water or land to fill onboard water tanks that are dumped over remote areas needing water to extinguish fires. The plane was photographed at New Orleans International Airport.
(Click on image for full size view.)

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DEQ) for the state of Delaware has this Hackney emergency response vehicle that is stationed out of Dover, DE, but can be dispatched throughout the state. Equipped with water, air, and soil sampling and monitoring equipment, this vehicle responds to all Hazmat situations. The vehicle is seen here on the steps of Legislative Hall, the "new" capitol building for the state of Delaware.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Fort Jackson, South Carolina is the home to the US Army's boot camp. Located just outside of Columbia the fort has it's own fire department. This is the chief's 2000 Chevy Impala. Check out their nice E-One ladder on the ladder page.
(Click on image for full size view.)

The same day I shot L-807 I shot squad, S-819. S-819 is assigned to Station 81 in Marrero, LA. This is the first squad that I have seen with a boom winch on the body, great idea. This shot and the one of L-807 were taken March 1, 2000.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Hochessin (DE) Station 19 offers a little bit of everything as seen here in a station shot. A 97 Hummer to the right, Autocar next to it, Saulsbury tanker next, LTI ladder, and two pumpers, one still in the house. Note the size of the station for a farming and Wilmington bedroom community.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Monroe airport is not a very big one, but there are two E-One "Crash" trucks assigned to the airport firestation. E-1 is seen here on October 3, 1999. These hugh safety yellow trucks can foam down a runway in the matter of minutes. Also assigned to the station is a conventional pumper that responds to fires not related to aircraft emergencies.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Fox 2 is assigned to New Orleans International Airport (MSY) located in Kenner, Louisiana. Fox 2 is one of two Oskosh T-6 models assigned to the airport. This 4x4 has a water capacity of 1,585 gallons and carries 205 gallons of 3% foam. The airport fire department is part of the New Orleans Fire Department, but is located in Kenner, another city and different parish (county).
(Click on image for full size view.)

This Oskosh T-1500 model "Snozzle" is also equipped with an infrared camera and a thermal vision system. It is one of the latest weapons found at major airports. This is the second one I have found. Note the piercing nozzle on the end of the boom which is used to poke holes into aircraft to apply a water spray. Fox 7, striped with Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold is the newest piece assigned to New Orleans International Airport.
(Click on image for full size view.)

I am not sure how many fire boats the New Orleans Fire Department has on it's roster, but here is one of the newer ones headed up the Mississippi River recently near the Algiers (LA) ferry landing.
(Click on image for full size view.)

The former Sanford Naval Air Station in Sanford, Florida has turned into an international airport. This is one of three crash trucks assigned to the airport fire station. This is a 6x6 Oskosh.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Just one of the huge Oskosh Crash trucks assigned to Philadelphia International Airport, F6 is a 1997 model.
(Click on image for full size view.)

1998 Oskosh Crash truck assigned to Philadelphia International Airport is a little different than most you find. Very similiar in appearance to F6, F-7 has an articulated boom for dispensing foam from an elevated angle.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Ready to go "off-roading", this 2000 KME crash/ladder is another of the units found at Philadelphia International Airport. Much like the big city ladders, this one is raised up about 12 inches higher in case it has to go off the road during an aircraft emergency, as well as being a six wheel drive version verses a two wheel drive one.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Fire apparatus judging is common at most fire events I have attended in Delaware. Prior to the parade in Middletown, judges go over one of the entries from Galena, Maryland. Fire companies compete for tropies and the honors of having the best equipment in various classes. Fire companies are also judged on marching groups and color guards. For this event, Townsend's Macks took top honors for best overall appearing fire company during the competition.
(Click on image for full size view.)

The Bowers station equipment seen here at the Middletown, DE station dedication parade. Approximately 40+ engines paraded this day, including several units from the state of Maryland.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Christiana put forth a good showing at the station dedication and engine housing parade in Middleton, DE.
(Click on image for full size view.)

This is the exterior view of the new Middletown Volunteer Fire station in Middletown, Delaware. The state provides the state fire companies with approximately 1.5% of the money paid for fire insurance, as well as an additional 1.75% contributed directly from the state. Each station has a board of directors, department officers, and members who determine how the money is used when purchasing equipment, training personnel, or building new facilities. Depending on the population of the area of the fire company, some stations receive upwards of $600,000 per year to spend. In the lower image, the first 5 bays of the station are dedicated to housing the stations antiques and trophys. The next two open bays are for ambulances. The next bay is the radio room and the remaining open bays are for the various pieces of apparatus the station operates. The rear upper portion of the building houses offices, kitchen facilities and break rooms. The board of director's meeting room is directly above the radio room in the front center of the building.
(Click on image for full size view.)

The Middletown Volunteer Fire station in Middletown, DE cost $3.7 million dollars to construct. This is a view of their banquet hall that will be used for wedding receptions or any other important events in the community.
(Click on image for full size view.)

The top image is a view of the board of directors meeting room. Note the Maltese cross in the glass to the left. The glass wall behind the board of directors table overlooks the trophy and antique room down below. When a new station is dedicated the engines are "housed" by guest fire company members for the first time. In this shot guest fire company members push one of Middletown's pumpers into its bay.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Station 45 in Clayton has an original 1881 hand drawn pumper that is still functional to this day. The pumper is pushed by members of the Clayton (DE) Volunteer Fire Company during the state fire convention parade in Dover, Delaware last year.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Clayton also fields a top notch precision marching team with color guard as seen here at the state fire convention held in Dover, DE last year (2000).
(Click on image for full size view.)

That's right a marching band and a pretty good one at that. We don't see that at all down in my part of the country. This is the number one volunteer fire company band in the state of Delaware. Citizen's Hose from Smyrna, Delaware (Station 44) has won numereous awards in past events around the state and won best marching band in the Dover parade during the state fire convention last year.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Check out Wilmington Manor's antique in the Delaware fire convention parade in Dover, Delaware. It leads one of their pumpers and their ladder.
(Click on image for full size view.)

A crowd favorite, especially with the kids, is this monster fire truck from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
(Click on image for full size view.)

The community of Houston (DE) has painted at least one of their fire hydrants at their station like a Dalmation.
(Click on image for full size view.)

If you have ever watched fire and you have a good imagination you can see all sorts of images. Here's a horse that appears from the fire. The shot was taken by Mike in Dover, DE.
(Click on image for full size view.)

These are two of the bulldog graphics found on Townsend's Macks.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Federalsburg, Maryland is the location for this parade shot. Federalsburg's Volunteer Fire Company hosted the parade on October 8, 2000. Federalsburg's old Pierce pumper leads their rescue, newer pumper, tanker, and a very long line of various fire apparatus from neighboring Virginia and Delaware.
(Click on image for full size view.)

Lead by Lewes Volunteer Fire Company's 1925 American La France, Lewes also displayed their newest piece, a 2000 Pierce tanker as well as their older Mack rescue.
(Click on image for full size view.)