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 Childressfirefighter36 on October 15, 2010 at 10:30pm

We still have a 1970 Ford Boardman Pumper, it still does it's 250 GPM. And we have tanker that is fixing to replaced, but until our grassfire season is over. It's a 1979 Ford Tanker 1000 gallons.

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Permalink Reply by Gary on April 29, 2011 at 12:10am

Rensselaer FD's oldest truck is the truck i'm on and that is Engine 4 a 1999 International/Lavurne is now only used for EMS unless its really needed

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Permalink Reply by Gary on April 29, 2011 at 12:11am

Our newest are Engines 2 & 3 both 2007 Internationals

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Permalink Reply by Michael tan on April 29, 2011 at 12:50am

hi just wana share. here in the philippines. where most of your old trucks are in display here. its still in service heheh ill post pictures asap. :D

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Permalink Reply by Joseph L. De Laura, jr. on April 29, 2011 at 5:04pm

Niantic Fire Department, Niantic, CT Still has a 1961 Dodge Power Wagon in active service.
Portable pump permanently mounted, 200 gal tank, reading body, winch on front, flathead 6 cylinder, standard tranny

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Permalink Reply by Randy Schrubba on April 29, 2011 at 5:34pm

One of our first out engines is a 1983 Peirce Dash.

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Smith on July 4, 2011 at 10:34am

Hello Benwood, West Virginia still has a 1947 open cab 700 series American lafrance pumper and a 1953 Seagrave annivesray series Tiller.

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Permalink Reply by Chad DeSantis on May 26, 2013 at 11:00pm

Time to start the big fight - 1980 FMC/International (usually third to go) and 1988 FMC International, both running John Bean High Pressure Fog and not going anywhere any time soon.

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Permalink Reply by Chad DeSantis on May 27, 2013 at 12:22am

They still have tailboards, too.

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Permalink Reply by Rich Bogart on June 5, 2013 at 6:10pm

2nd due is a 79 ALF

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Permalink Reply by John M. Scheibel on June 6, 2013 at 11:11am

Ironically as it sounds~ I do believe, and I have seen it, that Memphis Tenn has a Water Tower, STILL IN SERVICE. It is located at the Fire Museum, complete with Batteries to start the vehicle.

According to records I have seen, the rig was constructed in 1891 as a Horse drawn, and converted and refurbished in 1957, by PIRSCH. It carries the designation of T-31. I am quite sure it is not a Front line piece, BUT.... if needed it can be utilized by the City of Memphis as needed. It does have a Garage Door in front of the cab, at the Museum, and the curator told us, it does get checked over on a regular basis, for the age of the rig. It can be put onto the Street easily.

http://www.firstduephotos.com/keyword/pirsch/86415026_KvFbmJC#!i=86415026&k=KvFbmJC

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Permalink Reply by Bob Hoscheid on June 6, 2013 at 7:20pm

I agree with the firefighter safety issue with the older trucks, BUT, I am with Craig on this one. There are a TON of departments that can not afford new rigs whenever they feel like it. I come from a village of 482 people and we operate a tanker (tender) that's a 1974. Why? Not because we want to! And yes, we do have fund raisers and other functions to raise money, but a majority of it goes to things like maintenance, insurance, fuel, etc. That tanker I mentioned, we built it ourselves from an old grain truck chassis, because it was that or nothing. We apply for grants and other funding assistance but when your call volume is around 25 a year, with 20 of them EMS calls, it's hard to justify and have any luck with the being awarded $250,000+ that the apparatus cost today. And I agree with Chris to an extent, we are doing "whatever it takes" to provide fire protection, but there is a realistic limit to what can be accomplished. We had to fund-raise and save for 14 years to purchase a USED 2007 Rescue for $65,000. And now we start at $0.00 again. So, if your department has the funds and opportunity to have new(er) apparatus, consider yourselves blessed. That's just the way it is in RURAL America.