Fire Engines Photos

FDNY Ladder Co6 quarters are at 75 Canal Street, Lower Manhattan in the district known as Chinatown in a Firehouse built back in 1969.
Located with this Seagrave JT 100ft TDA(Tractor Drawn Aerial)is Engine Co9, and Satellite Co1.
Thanks for sharing your FDNY photographs with us Marcel.

Added by Pete Matten on 01 March 2012.

What is the advantage of having such a large vehicle carrying a very average 100ft ladder? Wouldn't the European and UK much more compact alternatives be easier to manoeuvre and offer greater flexibility?....Mind you this does look fantastic!

Added by Mark on 03 March 2012.

Marcel, this is great! But, , , , they got some sort of dunkin donut? thing next to OUR!! heros firehouse?? How are they gonna stay taught and trim to do the job???!!!

Added by Pav on 03 March 2012.

The advantage is having more compartments/lockers for tools and equipment that a Truck Company(any aerial unit)carries. Also the I.S.O. Insurance Services Office requires a complement of ground ladders.


Added by Les Davis on 03 March 2012.

The tiller aerial has a steering axle on the trailer, operated by the firefighter in the small rear cab. This makes it very manuverable. FDNY also operates many straight ladder and tower trucks, but still has a small number of tiller areials in stations - like Chinatown - which cover response areas with narrow streets. Some other cities, notably San Francisco - also operate tiller aerials for the same reason.

Added by Rob Johnson on 05 March 2012.

Many US cities operate tillers. Almost all Portland's aerials are tillers, and many in Philadelphia and Washington, DC (among other cities). That second driver controlling the rear axle provides quite surprising maneuverability.

Added by Michael Feldman on 06 March 2012.

This might be a silly question but could it be possible if higher ladders, say 140-150ft can be built on the tillers? Would there be issues with weight, etc..?

Added by Mark B. on 12 March 2012.

And, on a certain video site, the rear-steer aspect of these trucks makes for some brilliant examples of them scything their way through US streets and highways. Amazingly manoeuvrable for such a big rig.

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 13 March 2012.

I think this maneuverability is the main reason these trucks remain so popular. A good rear driver can do wonders. Must have been quite a job, in the days before power steering. Also, the driver sat up there in the open, in all kinds of weather, until the tumultuous 60s, when they started enclosing those little cabs to protect the drivers against rioters throwing rocks.

Added by Michael Feldman on 13 March 2012.

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