Fire Engines Photos

This design dates all the way back to the 1947 700 series, when its unique forward control cab and set back engine design was revolutionary. It set the stage for hundreds of American apparatus configured the same way from practically every other US custom manufacturer over the next few decades.

Ward, Mack, Seagrave, Pierce, Pirsch, Sutphen, Boardman, Hahn, KME, Crown, Simon, Duplex and others all copied the original ALF configuration in later years, as did both ERF and Dennis in the UK for their aerial ladder and platform low profile cab appliances.

The main drawback to the earlier design was that the two rear facing seats either side of the engine housing were rather narrow, so crew members often decided to either stand there or revert to riding the rear step. Later series had a bump out on the side panels behind the doors to accommodate larger bottoms...

Added by Rob Johnson on 09 October 2020.

The roof monitor (or deck gun, in local language) is a mandatory feature of US pumpers. With an output often rated at up to 1800 LPM or more, it is a very effective tool for initial external attack on a serious structure fire, provided the pumper is positioned correctly. One frequent tactic is to simply empty the on board tank to achieve an early result, even before the hydrant is hooked up. Otherwise its sustained use when fed from a hydrant can be helpful, anticipating the subsequent set up of aerial units in the water tower role. Surprisingly, it seems several departments in this country make very little use of deck guns, despite their proven effectiveness in the right circumstances.

Added by Rob Johnson on 10 January 2025.

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