Fire Engines Photos

are there any of the original tractor drawn ladder trucks from about the 40ths or 50th still preserved

Added by Patrick on 03 December 2008.

Great shot of the workings of a TDA, with enclosed Tillerman's position.

On this 'Site, there is interest in seeing a photo of the older TDA's, open Rear Tillerman position; with the windshield and seat swung away, for raising the aerial...

Interesting note in that it is California, "The West Coast"; and the Fire-Fighter is sporting a "New Yorker" style helmet.

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 03 December 2008.

Pat:

SFFD switched to a very "modern" looking helmet in the 70's and the firefighters hated them. They covered the ears and made communications difficult. There were also instances of them melting, which the old school helmets won't do. The space age helmets were discarded after less than 10 years.

FYI, SFFD helmets are color coded. Engine companies are black, truck companies are red + white, chiefs are white. For some reason I've forgotten what color rescue companies where.

Added by TBone on 19 July 2011.

Another San Francisco practice, which is nicely illustrated here, is the use of wooden ground ladders. The city has a lot of streets with overhead power lines. These are dangerous for metal ladders at the best of times, but can be a major hazard after the utility poles are skewed following even mild earthquakes. SFFD still build their own ladders in their workshops.

Added by Rob Johnson on 22 August 2014.

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