Oldest Fire Apparatus in service?

Hi all! Just trying to get a feel for what kind of equipment is still in service out there! We've got a 1956 Ward LaFrance that was purchased new by the Dept and is still in active service (although not commonly!). Believe it or not, it's a 750 GPM Pump and is more powerful than a lot of the newer stuff we've got! The newest in the fleet is a 2003 Marion 75' Aerial Ladder. We've got a couple older trucks that are being restored and are collectors, but nothing else that old on the active roster. Anyone else still have good old trucks?

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Permalink Reply by Pete on August 24, 2008 at 7:01pm

my department as a 1970 Ford 1000/1000 pumper is in service

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Permalink Reply by Wes Anders on August 25, 2008 at 9:35am

We have a 74 ford cabover still in service and we have a 1927 Amarican La France thats not in service but still operational

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Permalink Reply by Chris Deverman on August 25, 2008 at 9:51am

Our Department has an original 1927 Model A Ford still in service. It was never taken out of service and is still very operational. In fact she runs great and is a blast to drive. "Granny," what she's called around our station, was last used on a call a couple years ago, when the city was going to send back one of our pumpers due to budget cuts. Top speed is around 35mph.

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Permalink Reply by 144Truck on August 25, 2008 at 9:57am

Our oldest in service is a 1978 Mack CF/Baker 75' Aerialscope. Constantly passes her inspections.

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Permalink Reply by Justin Cloutier on August 25, 2008 at 10:05am

Its not an apparatus, but we've got a 1951 Deuce and a half, equipped with two large water drums, and a gasoline pump, we use this rig for forrestry and an extra tanker.

Out of service, we have a 1938 International Pumper, which we use in parades and was one of the original trucks in Turner.

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Permalink Reply by Mac Conant on August 25, 2008 at 10:48am

Sorry Justin its Actually A FORD by a Company In MASS and was bought second hand from I think Livermore. We bought it Just cuz it was nice.

Turner's FD was founded in 1946

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Permalink Reply by Justin Cloutier on August 25, 2008 at 11:04am

Ah, I could of sworn someone told me it was one of our own, but you are correct, it is a Ford, I was looking at vintage Trucks and there were a lot of Internationals, so I must have gotten them mixed up, haha

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Permalink Reply by Rolf Peterson on August 25, 2008 at 5:52pm

Time to get these trucks replaced don't you think? Man!! I would be busting someones chops on that. Firefighter safety is at risk running old stuff like that.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Evans on August 25, 2008 at 6:02pm

Our oldest in service is a 1985 Seagrave Pumper, it used to have an open rear cab that has since been closed up.

Our oldest truck at the station is a 1945 Seagrave Pumper that is used as a PR vehicle

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Permalink Reply by Just Plain Craig Moyer on August 27, 2008 at 3:43pm

I used to think the same thing until I spoke to someone from out of state. He told me the fire company was doing good if it had $300 in the bank at the end of the year. Alot of places simply can't afford 2-3-400,000 for a new engine. Some can't afford $60,000 for a used engine.

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Permalink Reply by Marcko Osuna on August 27, 2008 at 4:07pm

We still have an AmericanLaFrance 1964 , still in service and also use it for parades and thinks like that.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on October 18, 2008 at 11:40pm

Our oldest in service apparatus is our reserve engine, a 1992 Seagrave. Our oldest apparatus no longer in service is our 1897 Howe hand pumper, it's our F.D.'s first pumper bought new for $720.00 back in 1897.