While the American Fire Engine Company was trying to establish itself as the “big dog” in the manufacturing of steam fire engines, the LaFrance Fire Engine Company of Elmira, N. Ahrens built the popular “Metropolitan” model steamer in various sizes, as well as the radical/eccentric and overly-heavy (and thus not very successful) “Columbian,” which was built for and displayed at the World’s Columbian Exposition at Jackson Park in Chicago in 1893, and featured both a standard steam engine AND hose supply-bed on the same rig (the common practice both before and after the introduction of the Columbian was for an engine company to operate with a steam fire engine and a hose cart running as separate rigs). While there were four steam fire engine manufactures under the AFEC umbrella, Ahrens was the biggest and most-successful one. However, because the other two major steam fire engine manufacturers (Amoskeag and LaFrance) did not participate in the merger, the overall benefit of the AFEC consolidation was minimal. This was the era of monopolies and trusts, and the purpose of establishing AFEC was to reduce (or maybe even eventually eliminate) competition and consolidate the sales force (and maximize profits), although each of the four companies would maintain their own “corporate identity.”ĪFEC production facilities were located at the Ahrens Manufacturing Company plant in Cincinnati and at the Silsby Manufacturing Company plant in Seneca Falls, N. This pumper is powered by a Junior V-12, with redundant starters, plugs, and distributors.The American Fire Engine Company (AFEC) was created in 1891 from a merger of four of the largest steam fire engine manufacturers (Ahrens, Button, Clapp & Jones, and Silsby). The current restoration goal is to get new tires and brakes installed so that is will be rolling stock and can be used for fire truck rides on the Fourth of July. The bell you can see in the first photo was moved to its replacement, the 1977 Howe engine, and then again to the current Engine #2, the 2005 Spartan. This engine is still owned by FVFD after being sold off then re-bought by members and eventually donated back to the department. The first photos of "Big Red" show up in the Aug. The next best bid for similar equipment, a Seagrave build truck, came to approximately $18,200 delivered here.
AMERICAN LAFRANCE FIRE EXTINGUISHER PLUS
The new equipment will cost the fire district $16,350 plus $490.50 state sales tax delivered in Ferndale. The truck will carry a 400-gallon water tank.
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This is to eliminate the practice of riding the side steps.
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Seating capacity, in addition to the driving seat, provides for five men in side-entrance seats. Turning radius is listed at 25 feet right or left. It is said to be 15 times safer than the conventional driver's seat. The high pressure feature is said by firemen to add considerably to water supply and the effectiveness of the "fog nozzles" used so frequently by the local department both in extinguishing confined fires and in giving protection from heat and flames to firemen handling the nozzles.ĭesign of the truck is a "cab-ahead-of-engine" type giving a a greater angle of visibility to the driver. It will also deliver 600 pounds pressure on the booster lines. The new pumper to be delivered in July is an Invader Pumper 750 and capable of delivering 750 gallons of water per minute. The latter has served the district, including the city of Ferndale, continuously since its purchase in 1937.
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The new truck will replace the present American LaFrance pumper owned by the district. Ferndale firemen, who are to operate the new equipment, set up details on the type of equipment needed for the valley district's fire protection. Commissioners of the Ferndale district made the final decison to purchase the equipment this week after purchase was authorized by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors.
AMERICAN LAFRANCE FIRE EXTINGUISHER SERIES
American LaFrance 700 Series Operators ManualĪdded fire protection will be given the Ferndale Fire District in July with the arrival of the latest type of fire fighting equipment manufactured by American LaFrance Foamite Corporation.