Walt McCall's out of print and outdated book, American Fire Apparatus Since 1900 in the Crestline Series, has been referred to as the "Bible" and is the number one reference source recommended by fire apparatus enthusiasts. The old book was arranged by year and required a lot of reading and searching to research individual companies and their fire trucks. Well, now the new "Bible," is here! From Abbott & Downing to Zwak, this comprehensive volume combines company histories, innovations and hundreds of photographs to present the story of American fire engine manufacturing.
American Fire Apparatus produced a remarkable number of apparatus and was, for many years, an innovator and major force in the industry. View the complete line from beginning to the end including brush trucks, mini-pumpers, pumpers (both custom and commercial), tankers, snorkels, crash trucks, aerial ladders and platforms. Informative text and captions include a company history as well as delivery schedules and original cost where available. City location index provided for easy referencing.
As World War II drew to a close, America's premier fire apparatus builder--the American-LaFrance Foamite Corp. of Elmira, N.Y.--bet the company's future on its radical new cab-ahead-of-engine 700 Series fire engines. In a spectacular gamble to capture the superheated postwar market, all of the company's existing products were discontinued and its customers were essentially told to "take it or leave it." This bold gamble paid off and 700 Series rigs soon filled firehouses across the nation, sweeping aside all competitors and ultimately defining the breakthrough 700 as "America's Fire Engine." This is the first comprehensive history of the game-changing 700. Individual chapters detail not only each of the eight major vehicle types but also the origins, design controversies, manufacturing, and marketing of the 700 and short-lived transitional 800 Series. The book includes a meticulously researched registry of every 700/800 series apparatus delivered, supported by many interpretive tables detailing production, specifications and major fire department fleets.
Delicious red paint and sparkling gold leaf on swoopy fenders, leather helmets and barking Dalmatians, screaming sirens and high-speed dashes to roaring flames-the business of firefighting is steeped in high adventure, danger, and heroism. Firefighters and their trucks and engines are rugged, ready, and dependable. All they do, around the clock, 365 days a year, is help people, and for this they hold a special place in our society. These vehicles and the men and women who use them in the never-ending battle to control civilization's oldest enemy are our last pure heroes, America 's heroes on wheels. All the legendary names of yesterday and today-Ahrens-Fox, American LaFrance, Emergency One, Mack, Pirsch, Seagrave, Van Pelt-speed off the pages, sirens screaming in more than 150 stunning color photographs. Also included are vintage advertisements and dozens of original black-and-white photographs. The text is a fascinating history of fire apparatus and firefighting, describing the evolution from bucket brigades and hand pumpers manned by rowdy "vollies" to horse-drawn steam pumpers operated by the first professional firefighters, and from the first automotive powered rigs to the powerful, sophisticated trucks, engines, and rescue rigs of today. Woven together for the first time are histories of the great fire-apparatus manufacturers, highlights from historical sources, and hours of interviews with present and former firefighters and fire-apparatus collectors, mustering the legend and lore of hundreds of years of firefighting.
Now available in paperback, this handsome tribute examines how the constant evolution of an ubiquitous American landmark has been the result of advances in firefighting equipment, namely the fire engine. Today's modern fire stations are a far cry from the early 19th century stables that housed hand pumps and horse-drawn fire wagons. As yesteryear's wooden fire wagons evolved into today's gleaming red fire engines, so too evolved the fire station. A huge collection of historical black-and-white photos is complemented by an impressive selection of crisp, modern color photography featuring shots of restored stations and firefighting equipment, including vehicles, helmets, axes, bells, ladders, and hoses. Even the Dalmatian makes an appearance or two. Stunning visual images also include firefighters battling actual blazes.
This second edition of Fire Service Pump Operator has been thoroughly updated to serve as a complete training solution that addresses pump operation, safe driving techniques, tiller and aerial apparatus operation, and water supply considerations. From basic apparatus maintenance to fire pump theory and advanced hydraulic calculations, this single manual covers everything a fire service driver/operator needs to know. Fire Service Pump Operator: Pump, Aerial, Tiller, and Mobile Water Supply, Second Edition meets and exceeds the job performance requirements of Chapters 4, 5, and 10 of NFPA 1002, Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Professional Qualifications, 2014 Edition. It also addresses all of the course outcomes from the National Fire Academy’s Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) Associates (Core) Fire Protection Hydraulics and Water Supply course.
From the creation of the American-LaFrance Fire Engine Co. in 1904 through the company's latest deliveries in 2004, McCall provides insight into the company's often complex corporate history with emphasis on the development of ALF motor fire apparatus. Comparisons to its competitors help explain the various development stages in apparatus style and components. Detailed, historic photographs show the wide variety of apparatus produced by ALF over the last century. A color gallery portrays the ALF colorful designs that remain popular for U.S fire departments today. The story wouldn't be complete without a chapter on ALFCO's Canadian Cousin, LaFrance Fire Engine & Foamite Ltd. An appendix explains the various types and series and the time period they were built. An outline of the various names the company went through is also
Of all the companies that built motor fire apparatus in America in the 20th century, none has acquired the cult-like devotion accorded the unique products of the Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. With its front-mounted piston pump surmounted by a gleaming spherical air chamber, the Ahrens-Fox piston pumper projects irresistible aesthetic and mechanical appeal. Fire apparatus aficionados and collectors have all but elevated the truly distinctive Ahrens-Fox piston pumper to a firefighting deity. Noted fire apparatus historian and author Walt McCall has selected the best of the best for this photographic tribute to a legendary nameplate—including the milestone Continental, mighty six-piston Models PS, BT and what is arguably the most beautiful fire engine ever made in America, the classic, semi-streamlined Model HT. A supplemental gallery of 30 color photos showcases some of the finest surviving Ahrens-Foxes.
Fire engines are some of the most beautiful vehicles of them all! They have developed from horse drawn steam powered pumps to flashy chrome, colors, lights and sirens. Fire trucks are all about public service. They come to help you if your house is on fire or an accident has happened. The understanding is that anything 50 to 100 years old is vintage and anything 100 years old or older is considered an antique and our selection is not always precise. We honor all fire fighters and rescue workers on this 4th of July 2023 and hope you will enjoy our selection of photos.
