Third Alarm Nov.-Dec.box52.org/TorontoNovDec2018.pdf · 2018. 12. 15. · Third Alarm November - December 2018 Page 4 From the Editor… Welcome to the last issue of 2018. It has

Third Alarm

A Publication of the OFBA, an affiliate of the International Fire Buffs Association

Volume 48, No. 6 November-December 2018

John Holden

REMEMBERING JOHN HOLDEN – It is with great sadness that we report the passing on December 3 of Oshawa OFBA member John L. Holden, 78. One of the original founders of the Ontario Fire Buffs Association, John held membership card #2. Very active in the creation of the OFBA in 1971, John Holden was the first Editor of The Third Alarm. After passing the editorship to Walt McCall, John continued to publish and distribute the TA for many years. John’s passion was the Canadian subsidiary of American-LaFrance. He had excellent connections at the Toronto plant and saved the company’s photo files after LaFrance went out of business, and he donated a duplicate set of delivery photos to the OFBA. John was among the first Canadian fire buffs to own and restore an old fire eng-ine – an ex-Peterborough 1927 ALF. He later also set up and ran his own fire equipment business. John was always keenly interested in the OFBA, its members and its many activities. Our condolences to his wife Patricia and family. Rest in peace, good friend.

Third Alarm November - December 2018 Page 2

THIRD ALARM

Volume 48 Number 6

November-December 2018

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

of the ONTARIO FIRE BUFF ASSOCIATES

(Incorporated in 1979)

P.O. BOX # 56 Don Mills

DON MILLS ON CANADA M3C 2R6

Third Alarm is published bi-monthly in

February, April, June, August, October, and December. Available free with OFBA membership or by electronic

subscription.

Please send submissions to: Des Brett Editor, Third Alarm 48 Glenwood Cres. Toronto ON Canada M4B 1J6 or E-Mail: [email protected] The Editor reserves the right to edit all material submitted for publication.

For membership information, write the above address,

or contact us on the Internet at:

www.ofba.ca or

[email protected]

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 2018 – 19

President Secretary TreasurerRobert Rupert 7 Kerfoot Cres.

Keswick ON L4P 4B8

Home: (905) 989-0769 [email protected]

Greg Brown 405 – 38 King St. W.

Stoney Creek, ON L8G 1H6


James Stronach 22 Conifer Dr.

Toronto, ON M9C 1X4


Vice President Membership DirectorRick Loiselle

68 – 35 Waterman Ave. London ON N6C 5T5


Robert Herscovitch 2206 – 65 Skymark Dr, Toronto ON M2H 3N9


Larry Ward 342 Buckingham Rd.

Newmarket, ON L3Y 6K5


Director Director Past President IFBA Region 10 VP Desmond Brett 48 Glenwood Cres

Toronto ON M4B 1J6

Home: (416) 750-9889 Mobile: (416) 427-9055

[email protected]

Bob Anderson P.O. Box 1216

Cobourg, ON K9A 5A4

Home: (905) 372-6050 Work: (905) 372-6050

[email protected]

Rick Loiselle 68 – 35 Waterman Ave. London ON N6C 5T5


Gary Wignall 3940 Bloor St. W.

Toronto, ON M9V 1M1

Home: (416) 231-3578

[email protected]

All written material and photographs in this issue are copyright of the Ontario Fire Buffs Assoc .


President’s Message… . The OFBA's 27th Annual Fire Service Collectibles Show was held on the morning of November 2nd with a good number of vendors present but, once again, few members of the public to browse and make purchases. I know the damp weather didn't help but there must be some way we can attract the attention of firefighters and the general public to this event. Arrangements were made to have a digital advertisement on toronto.com, which lists various events going on in the city, and flyers were made available to fire halls throughout southern Ontario, but it didn't seem to make much difference.

The 47th Annual General Business meeting was held in the afternoon with 30 people in attendance and was followed by a meeting of the IFBA's Region 10. Our finances are in good shape and a committee has been struck to organize and oversee our 50th Anniversary celebrations in 2021. Committee members are Des Brett, James Stronach, Ken Buchanan, Herb Gallaway, Mike Johansen and myself. Any suggestions you may have regarding venue, type of function, etc. will be considered by the committee and can be forwarded to any of the above members. Mike Johansen is our newest member and can be contacted at [email protected].

Tentative photo tours for 2019 are: Kingston in May; Port Colborne, Wainfleet and the remainder of Haldimand County in June; Brampton in July; Oshawa & Whitby in August and Northern & Central Wellington County in September.

Congratulations to long time member and former editor of the Third Alarm on his appointment as an Honorary Firefighter by the Windsor Firefighters Association. The association has created an award in Walt's name which will be presented annually to the WPFFA member who exemplifies a commitment to maintaining and fostering their heritage and history.

In closing, please note my new email address: [email protected]. On behalf of Rosemary and myself I want to wish each of you and your families a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanakkah and a Happy and Prosperous New Year and I hope to see you at one or more of the photo tours in 2019. Until then, stay safe.

Bob Rupert

#2 High Pressure Monitor: Word has been received from Division Chief Rob Anselmi that they are working on restoration of the engine on #2 High Pressure and that it and #1 High Pressure have switched bays which will make it easier to work on the truck.

From our Membership Secretary This is the final issue of The Third Alarm for 2018. By now you have all received your new membership cards and dues notices. Thanks to all those members who have already paid, just over 70% at this mailing. A special thank you to those of you who also made donations. Again, there were some very generous ones. For those of you interested in numbers, our membership stands at 105, including 5 in the USA and 4 in the UK. The rest are spread across Canada from Newfoundland to British Columbia. We also mail out a number of complimentary copies of the T/A to various fire related clubs and fire service organizations. Over 40% of the members now receive the electronic version in lieu of paper. 27% receive both versions. With this being the last issue of the year, I would like to thank the members of the Executive and our Membership in general, for it is you who keep the club going by attending the photo tours and the annual collectibles show and in sending in articles and photos for The Third Alarm. Keep them coming and if you know of anyone who would like to become a member of the OFBA, have them drop me a line. We are always looking for new members. On a personal note, I would like to send special holiday greetings to the many friends in the Fire Services that I have met in my travels overseas. It’s always nice to hear from you. We look forward to another successful year in 2019 and I wish all of you a Happy Holiday Season and a Healthy and Safe New Year. Robert Herscovitch, Membership


From the Editor…

Welcome to the last issue of 2018. It has been a banner year for photos and, for this newsletter, they were provided by Terry Yip, Walt McCall, Gary Dinkel, Robert Herscovitch, Dave Stewardson, Ken Buchanan, Bob Rupert, John Bowerman, Ian Duke, Tom Sheppard, Larry Ward, Rob Simpson, and Neil McCarten. Thanks Maxi Métal Fire Trucks, AeroFeu, Midwest, Pierce Manufacturing, Safetek, Wholesale Fire & Rescue and Metalfab for photos and info. Thanks also to Ken Buchanan, Rob Simpson, Gary Dinkel, Doug Holmes and Bob Rupert for providing info, and of course, to Walt for his column and Herb Galloway for passing on the publications used for the Chicago and box alarm stories. Sadly, we have once again reported on the passing of one of our members, and inevitability in an organization approaching its 50th anniversary but still difficult. Many thanks to Walt McCall for his heartfelt tribute to John and to Al Craig for the photo of John deep into his passion, working on the club’s Seagrave aerial. To all our readers, have a safe holiday, Merry Christmas and all the best for 2019.

Desmond Brett, Editor, Third Alarm The 2019 IFBA Convention will be from Sunday to Wednesday next year June in Montreal QC

Walt McCall posing with executives from IAFF Local , Windsor after being made an honorary member in

recognition of his coverage and promotion of the department over the decades as a journalist and historian.

The Six Nations/Haldimand Tour Group (Ken Buchanan photo)


OFBA Photo Tour - August 25, 2018 Six Nations Fire Department and Haldimand County FD Stations 1-6

Six Nations Fire Department Fire Station 1 - 17 Veterans Lane, Ohswekan Built 2016 Pump-Rescue 1 2010 E-One Typhoon 1250/800/50F S#136289 Pump 1 2006 American LaFrance Metropolitan 1050/1250/50F S#1846 Ladder 1 2016 Pierce Enforcer 107' Ascendant 1750/400 J#29108 Ladder 2 1994 Spartan Metro Star SMFD / Superior 50' TS 1050/450 S# SE1381 Tanker 1 2017 Freightliner 114SD / Pierce 840/2400 J#31070-TR-01 Rescue 1 1998 International 4900 / Dependable Squad 1 2008 Ford / Crestline (x ambulance) Car 2 2016 Chevrolet Yukon Car 3 2016 Ford F250 with 4.5 metre Zodiac Car 4 Chevrolet Savannah Fire Station 2 - 625 Second Line, Sour Springs Pump 2 2006 American LaFrance Metropolitan 1050/1000/50F S#1845 Tanker 2 1990 International 4900 / Dependable (x King Twp) 450/1800 Fire Station 3 - 2134 Cayuga Road Pump 3 2006 American LaFrance Metropolitan 1050/1000/50F S#1847 Tanker 3 1991 International 4900 / 2016 Dependable PP/1500 Fire Station 4 - 2852 Third Line Pump 4 2002 Pierce Contender 1050/500 J#13052

Tanker 3 is a 1991 International 4900 / 2016 Dependable , it has a 1500gwt and portable pump. (Bob Rupert photo)


Coverage of the August Tour in the Six Nations and Haldimand County begins with several rigs that were seen but not brought out for photography, courtesy of Ken Buchanan who shot these on sunny days in the 90’s. Above is Hagersville original motor pump, a 1926 Dodge Brothers/ Lorne, 420igpm,

80gwt, below is the Jarvis parade rig, a 1940 REO/Bickle Seagrave with a 500igpm pump and 100gwt.

Finally, Cayuga’s 1946 Bickle-Seagrave custom, 625/500 pumper, ex-St. Catharines.


Haldimand County Fire Department, Stations 1 to 6 By Bob Rupert

Fire Station 1 - 10 Caithness Street West, Caledonia Built 1960

Pumper 1 2005 KME Renegade 1050/800/30F S#GSO6014 Pumper 1A 2000 Pierce Contender 1050/840 J#987069 Tanker 1 2000 Sterling / 2004 Swents PP/2000 Rescue 1 2007 Freightliner M2 / PK Welding / Advance Boat 1 - 2017 Zodiac

Fire Station 2 - 124 Main Street South, Hagersville Built 2015

Pumper 2 2006 KME Renegade 1050/800/30F S#GSO6387 Pumper 2A 2002 Pierce Contender 1050/840 J#12955 Tanker 2 2003 Sterling / 2005 Swents PP/2000 S#E00631 Rescue 2 2016 Freightliner M2-106 / Dependable Walk-In Heavy Rescue Brush 2 2015 Polaris / ASAP Wild Fire 6x6 150/160 V#GT135380 Parade 1926 Dodge Brothers / Lorne 420/100

Fire Station 3 - 2985 Main Street (Highway 6), Jarvis Pumper 3 2013 KME Predator 1050/840 S#GS08771 Aerial 3 2009 KME Aerialcat 100' Platform 1050/250 S#GS07426 Tanker 3 2003 International 4400 / 2007 Swents PP/2000 Rescue 3 2000 GMC C8500 / PK Welding / Advance

Fire Station 4 (Fire/EMS Headquarters) - 11 Thorburn Street South, Cayuga Built 2015

Pumper 4 2009 KME Predator 1050/840 S#GSO7660 Pumper 4A 2000 Pierce Contender 1050/840 S#201558 Tanker 4 2001 International 4400 / 2006 Swents PP-2000 Rescue 4 2016 Freightliner M2-106 / Dependable Heavy Rescue

Fire Station 5 - 357 Haldimand-Norfolk Highway 56, Canfield Built 2013

Pumper 5 2011 KME Predator 1050/840 S#GSO8075 Tanker 5 2002 International / 1998 C-Max PP/2300 Rescue 5 2011 Chevrolet / Demers Parade 1946 Custom Bickle / Seagrave (x St. Catharines) 700/80 S#6056

Fire Station 6 - 7 Darling St., Canborough Pumper 6 2009 KME Predator 1050/840 S#GSO7662 Tanker 6 1999 Peterbilt 330 / 2005 Swents PP./2000 Parade 1936 Chevrolet / Bickle 125/250

Haldimand Aerial 3, a 2009 KME Aerialcat 100' Platform, 1050igpm/250gwt, S#GS07426


Ladysmith, BC Engine 2, a 2018 Spartan Metro Star/Fort Garry pumper equipped with a 1500igpm Darley

pump, a 1000gwt and a 20gft. SN M884. Below is the new Engine 8 for Sicamous, BC. A 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Fort Garry collaboration, it has a 1050igpm Waterous pump, a 1000gwt and a 30gft. SN M847.

Below: Macklin, SK Tanker 2, a 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Acres with a 1050igpm pump, 2860gwtxc/30gft


The Apparatus Floor....

Cambridge’s 2005 Spartan Gladiator/General quint is returning to service as Aerial 3. The truck had a twisted frame and was repaired locally, it was running as Aerial 1. It has a 1584igpm pump, 500gwt, 15gft and 60’ stick, serial 17028. Cambridge has ordered a Rosenbauer tanker (1050/2500) for delivery in the spring. They are also going to tender a pumper for next year as well. (From Gary Dinkel)

South Frontenac opened a new station in Perth Road on June 22. Station 6 is now located at 5585 Perth Rd. There is a pumper, tanker and rescue assigned to the hall. Oyster River FD is taking over fire protection for the Mount Washington resort community. A fire hall will be built in Mount Washington and local residents trained. MRC de D'Autray opened a new Station 90 at 50, rue Turnbull, Lavaltrie on October 13. Caserne Marcel Latour was converted from a municipal garage, it has three bays, one of them drive-through. It houses a pumper, tanker and platform along with a variety of smaller pieces. D’Autray is also rebuilding Station 40 at 2282 rue Principle in St.-Elisabeth with the rigs housed in a temporary station. The new hall is scheduled to open next year. Perry Township’s new Station 101 in Emsdale should be open any time. The new hall, next to the public works garage on Old Government Rd, has three bays, two of them drive through. Innisfil is building a fifth station at the corner of 25th Sideroad and Big Bay Point Road. A temporary facility, erected on land provided by the Friday Harbour Development, is depicted below.

Innisfil Station, temporary. (Rob Simpson photos)

MAXIMETAL has been awarded a 5-year contract for $ 32.1M to build 35 pumper trucks for the City of Montreal Fire Department. This is one of the largest contracts in the company’s history, and is the first major contract win since the company formalized its product partnership with US based fire apparatus manufacturer Pierce Manufacturing Inc. Production of the first seven chassis began immediately in Pierce’s US plant, and the first delivery to Montreal came at the end of November, with the last trucks expected to leave the factory sometime in late 2022. GTAA has ordered a pair of 2018 Rosenbauer Panther 6x6 crash trucks (1750/2500/330F) for delivery very soon, and has exercised an option for two more, they have also ordered an Airwolf.

Apparatus Roundup: ONTARIO *-corrected or added information for a previous listing Southwest Middlesex 2018 Dodge Ram F550/ Rosenbauer mini rescue Southwest Middlesex 2018 Spartan Metro Star/Rosenbauer pumper Nipissing Twp. T. 1 2018 IHC HV/Fort Garry 420igpm/2000gwt SN M935 South Glengarry P. 1 2018 Spartan Metro Star/DEV Haldimand County P. 9 2018 KME Vista 1250igpm(H)/840gwt jn 10680 Kingston P.251 2018 Spartan Metro Star / Spartan ERV 1250igpm/500gwt/25gft sn 217054-02 Kingston P.261 2018 Spartan Metro Star / Spartan ERV 1250igpm/500gwt/25gft sn 217054-01 Brampton A.209 2018 E1 Cyclone II 1100igpm/233gwt/17gft/100’ rearmount Richmond Hill 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Maxi Métal haz mat unit Peterborough 2018 Spartan Metro Star/Carl Thibault 1250igpm/900gwt SN 2748 Thorold A. 2 2018 Rosenbauer Commander Cobra 1650igpm/420gwt/40gft/101’ tower Caledon T.308 2018 Freightliner 114SD/Dependable Amherstburg RP. 3 2019 Freightliner M2-106/Fort Garry 1250igpm/800gwt SN M917 Kitchener P.6 2018 Rosenbauer Commander 7024 1250igpm/525gwt/40gft GSO 8736 Guelph P. 1 2018 Rosenbauer Avenger 1250igpm/750gwt/30gft SN 14491, ex-demo


Guelph, ON Pumper 1, a 2018 Rosenbauer Avenger 1250igpm//750gwt/30gft SN 14491,

ex-demo (Ken Buchanan photo)

Richmond Hill, ON’s new 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Maxi Métal Haz Mat

Brampton Aerial 209 2018 E-One Cyclone II 1100igpm/233gwt/17gft/100’ (Gary Dinkel photos)


Apparatus Roundup:

OUT WEST *-corrected or added information for a previous listing

Haines Junction, YT 2018 IHC 7400 4x4/Fort Garry 1050igpm(D)/1000gwt SN M911 Nunavut (2) 2018 IHC/Fort Garry pumpers Cambridge Bay (Ikaluktutiak) 2018 E-One Typhoon 1250igpm/400gwt/15gft(A)/78' rear-mount SO#141818 Ladysmith, BC E. 2 2018 Spartan Metro Star/Fort Garry 1500igpm(D)/1000gwt/20gft SN M884 New Denver E. 1 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Fort Garry 1250igpm(H)/800gwt/25gft SN M955 Sicamous E. 8 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Fort Garry 1050igpm(W)/1000gwt/30gft SN M847 Cranbrook 2018 Spartan/Hub (W) Aquis 6 FS pumper j/n1240 CFB Esquimalt 456 2017 Rosenbauer 114’ quint tower Errington E.21 2018 Spartan Metro Star/Hub 1250igpm/550gwt/30gft(A) SN 5875-1236 Errington E.22 2018 Spartan Metro Star/Hub r 1250igpm/550gwt/30gft(A) SN 5875-1237 Port Coquitlam Q. 1 2018 Pierce Ascendant 1250igpm/395gwt/20gft/107’ sn 32210 Langford Utility 3 2018 Ford F-150 4x4 pick up Ts'kw'aylaxw (Pavilion FN) 2018 IHC 7400/Fort Garry 1050igpm/800gwt/25gft SN M874 Blackpool 2009 Freightliner M2-106 / Fort Garry 1050/1000/2x20gft/CAFS ex Lashburn, SK Mannville, AB U.920 2018 Ford F-550 4x4/Hub rapid attack 85igpm/300gwt/10gft SO#1242 Athabasca County (Richmond Park) 2018 Freightliner M2106/Rosenbauer 500igpm(D)/2000gwt Valleyview 2018 Dodge Ram 5500 4x4Fort Garry 2200igpm(D)/333gwt/25gft/CAFS sn M936 La Crete 2018 Kenworth T880/ Rosenbauer 1050igpm(W)/2500gwt/30gft Paint Earth County (Coronation) 2018 Freightliner M2-106/ Fort Garry 1050igpm(D)/1000/25gft s/n M918 Egerton Edge 1 2018 IHC 7400 4x4/Rosenbauer 1050igpm(R/1000gwt/30gft FP 2001 Wetaskiwin County (Mulhurst Bay) 2018 Freightliner M2106/Rosenbauer rescue Wetaskiwin (South Pigeon Lake) 2018 Freightliner M2-112/Rosenbauer 1050igpm(R/1000gwt/30gft FP 2001 Macklin, SK 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Acres 1050igpm(W)/2860gwt/30gft SN 180921170 Melfort E.223 2019 Freightliner M2-106/ Fort Garry 1050igpm(D)/1000/ FP 1600 FS (A) M904* Elkford No. 5 440igpm(H)/2000gwt sn M910 Wolesley 2018 Freightliner M2-106/ Fort Garry 1050igpm(D)/1000 s/n M932 Unity 2018 Freightliner 108SD 6x6/Rosenbauer 840igpm/200gwt/40gft FoamPro 2001 Regina 2018 Rosenbauer Commander 4000 1500igpm/500gwt/40gft/CAFS sn 163295 Oak Lake, MB 2018 IHC 7400/Fort Garry pumper 1050igpm(D)/975gwt/25gft SN M914 Little Saskatchewan First Nation 2018 IHC 4300/Fort Garry 1050igpm/800gwt/25gft SN M907 QUEBEC & THE MARITIMES Fraser Fort- Georges, QC 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Maxi Métal 1250igpm(H)/ 1000gwt /25gft(A) FP 2001 FS St-Jean sur Richelieu 201 2018 Rosenbauer 2086gwt Repentigny 750 2018 Ford F350 4x4/Fibrotec utility Saint-Bernard 2018 Freightliner M2106/Rosenbauer rescue/command Pointe Calumet 903 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4x4 utility Saint-Liboire 2018 ARGO 8x8 off-road rescue Saint-Armand 1751 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD first responders Saint-Félicien 601 2018 Kenworth T370 / Carl Thibault 2750gwt Waskaganish 2018 E-One EZTrac 4x4 1250igpm/420gwt/78’ aerial Laval 405 2018 E-One HM Metro 110’ aerial SO#141770 Laval 408 2018 E-One HM Metro 110’ aerial SO#141771 Iles-de-la-Madeleine 654 2018 Ford F-550/ Maxi Métal medium rescue Saint-Michel-de-Bellechasse 2018 Yamaha Viking EPS 4x4 UTV off-road rescue Saint-Anselme 2018 Pierce Saber/ Maxi Métal 1250igpm(W)/650gwt/25gft FP 2002 FS Boischatel 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Maxi Métal 1250igpm(D)/2000gwt Dalhousie, NB No. 5 2018 Freightliner M2 106/ Maxi Métal 1250igpm(W)/1200gwt Westvac Industrial 2018 Freightliner M2 106 4x4/ Maxi Métal 1050igpm(H)/840gwt/30gft(A) Salisbury 2018 Freightliner M2 112/ Maxi Métal 1250igpm(H)/1200gwt/60gft(A)/30gft(B) Wellington, PEI 2018 Kawasaki Brute Force 300 Off Road Rescue - Onslow Belmont, NS R.932 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4x4/Rocky Mountain Phoenix light rescue Hilden PT 741 2018 Freightliner 108SD / Metalfab 1500igpm/2000gwt/20gft Tri-District E. 2 2018 Freightliner M2-112/Metalfab 1500igpm/1000gwt/30gft Nictaux & District E.11 2018 Freightliner 114SD/Lantz pumper 1500igpm/1000gwt Lake Vaughan 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Metalfab 420igpm/1500gwt


Cambridge, ON Aerial 3, a rebuilt 2005 Spartan Gladiator/General quint. Formerly Aerial 1,

it has a 1584igpm pump, 500gwt, 15gft and 60’ aerial. (Gary Dinkel photos)

S. Glengarry, ON Pumper 1, a 2108 Spartan Metro Star/Dependable pumper. (DEV)

South Frontenac’s new Station 6, located at 5585 Perth Rd. (Rob Simpson photo)


New Denver, BC Engine 1, 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Fort Garry 1250igpm(H)/800gwt/25gft SN M955

Edgerton, AB (Wainright) Edge 1 2018 IHC 7400 4x4/Rosenbauer 1050igpm(R/1000gwt/30gft FP 2001

(RMP)

Unity Rural, SK 2018 Freightliner 108SD 6x6/Rosenbauer 840igpm/200gwt/40gft FoamPro 2001 (RMP)


Wolseley, SK 2018 Freightliner M2-106/ Fort Garry 1050igpm(D)/1000gwt. s/n M932

Ste. Anne, MB 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Fort Garry 1050igpm(H)/800gwt/25gft s/n M753

Oak Lake - Sifton, MB 2018 IHC 7400/Fort Garry pumper 1050igpm(D)/975gwt/25gft SN M914

(Dave Stewardson photos)


Salisbury, NB 2018 Freightliner M2 112/ Maxi Métal 1250igpm(H)/1200gwt/60gft(A)/30gft(B) (MMFT)

Upper Gagetown, NB 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Metalfab medium rescue

A new tanker for Lake Vaughan, NS. It is a 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Metalfab collaboration sporting a 420igpmpump and a 1500gwt. (Metalfab Fire Photo)


Detroit, MI TMS 7 (WM)

Sandwich South, ON TMS 110 (WM)

Sandwich South, ON TMS 110 (WM)


HISTORICALLY SPEAKING – BY WALT McCALL DETROIT’S FAILED EXPERIMENT A CANADIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT’S GAIN

In the early 1970s, the Detroit Fire Department decided to supplement its heavy rescue squads with

several smaller combination squad and booster rigs. Called Tactical Mobile Squads, or TMS Units, they

were built on 1973 GMC 6000 four‐wheel‐drive chassis and had 300‐gallon booster tanks. The high‐sprung

, short‐wheelbase rescue/attack pumpers were intended for urban off‐road service with the capability of

scrambling up the embankments of the numerous freeways that crisscross the city.

Two or three crew members rode on a rear‐facing bench seat under a short canopy behind the cab.

Painted the DFD’s trendy new white‐over‐lime green, they sported front bumper‐mounted winches and

high side equipment compartments. A light bar on the cab roof held dual clear‐lens beacons and two

electronic siren/speakers. Five of the TMS units were ordered from Joyce Equipment in suburban

Brownstown Township but only one – TMS‐7 was actually placed into service, albeit briefly. Due to budget

and manpower reductions on the DFD, all of them were placed in storage and later put up for sale at a city

auction in September 1977.

Across the Detroit River in neighboring Canada, the Sandwich South Township Volunteer Fire Department

just outside Windsor was in the market for a rescue vehicle.

“We heard about the upcoming auction and several of us went over to the Detroit Fire Dept. Shops to look

at one of the vehicles”, Sandwich South Chief Frank Nostadt said. “It was exactly what we wanted. We got

it for $14,000 – a fraction of what it had cost. Ours only had 140 miles on it”. The entire 22 man SSFD

membership voted to give up a year’s pay to help pay for the rig, which was imported into Canada under a

special customs permit.

Once they got their prized truck home, the Sandwich South volunteers spent more than 200 hours

modifying the unit from urban to primarily rural service. A canopy was installed over the rear body and the

nearly‐new rig was repainted red. A bell was mounted on the front bumper above the winch. A local

service club donated $2,000 which the volunteers used to purchase extra rescue gear for the truck.

Lettered Unit TMS 110, it was placed into service in 1978.

Unit 110 served the Sandwich South Fire Department into the 1990s. In a 1999 reorganization of Essex

County fire services, the Tecumseh, St. Clair Beach and Sandwich South Township fire departments were

amalgamated into an enlarged Tecumseh Fire Department. The former Sandwich South Fire Hall at 5520

Walker Rd. near Highway 3 in Oldcastle became Tecumseh’s Station No. 2. The 1973 GMC/Joyce was later

retired. Its final disposition is unknown. All but forgotten today, it was an interesting chapter in cross‐

border fire service relations.


Some of the new fire halls in the works in Ontario…

Georgina, ON Stn.1-8 on the site of the old station in Pefferlaw. (Thos. Brown, Arch)

Perry Twp. Station 101, Emsdale. (Perry Twp).

Milton’s new Station 1at 405 Steeles Ave. E. will look like this upon completion.

Vaughan Station 74 in north Kleinberg. (Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service)

Pembroke is erecting a new hall at Upper Valley Dr. and International Dr. Completion is planned for October

2018. Designed by Cole & Associates, Architects, it has five bays, two dormitories and a training area.


Three more from the Western Tour,

Camrose, AB 205:1999 Superior GMC T8500 1250igpm/500gwt/25gft(A)

Carstairs, AB 160: 2003 Freightliner FL 80/Wholesale Fire and Rescue 3000gwt.

Lacombe, AB Rescue 1: 2012 Rosenbauer Freightliner FL M2 106 Rescue. (Terry Yip photos)


Another installment from the 2018 IFBA Convention in Racine.xxx

Bristol, WI Squad 5251: 2001 Pierce Lance Heavy Rescue S#E6043

Bristol, WI Pump Tender 5214: 1993 Pierce Lance 1500gpm/2500gwt S#E7582

Bristol, WI Truck 5231: 2018 Pierce Enforcer 107' Ascendant 1500gpm/420gwt/80gftJ#31410

(Bob Rupert photos)


Somers, WI Engine 6311 is a 1998 Pierce Saber, 1250gpm pump/750gwt

A preserved 1961 Ward LaFrance Fireball, 750gpm/500gwt. (BR)

Bloomingdale, WI Engine 2 1981 Pirsch, 1250gpm/500gwt S#3278 (Bob Rupert photos)


More from the Haldimand Tour….

Haldimand, ON Pumper 1: 2005 KME Renegade 1050igpm/800gwt/30gft.

Haldimand, ON Pumper 5: 2011 KME Predator 1050igpm/840gwt.

Haldimand, ON Rescue 1: 2007 Freightliner M2/PK Welding/Advance (Bob Rupert photos)


Haldimand, ON Rescue 3: 2000 GMC C8500/PK Welding/Advance

Haldimand, ON Tanker 2: 2003 Sterling / 2005 Swents Portable Pump/2000gwt

Haldimand, ON Tanker 6: 1999 Peterbilt 330 / 2005 Swents, Portable Pump/2000gwt

(Bob Rupert photos)


An interesting early history of the fire alarm box from a 1920s edition of The American City, produced by Gamewell as part of an advertising campaign. The 1921 type box remained the standard into the 1980s by

which time most cities had dispensed with street boxes.


Thanks to Chief Dort and the New Glasgow Fire Department, this 1877 pumper/steamer was loaned to the Halifax Fire Historical Society. This steamer, The Lulan, was used over 100 years ago to fight fires after the

Halifax Explosion. New Glasgow also has this 1917 LaFrance pumper parade rig.

(Photo credits: Halifax Fire Historical Society and the New Glasgow Fire Dept.)


Catching up with some more new rigs, starting in Ontario…

Wilmot, ON Tank 35, a 2018 Dependable Spartan 500igpm/2500gwt. (Gary Dinkel photo)

Scucog Twp., ON Tanker 61 - 2017 Freightliner M2 106/Pierce 840igpm/2500gwt SN 31484-1 (Darch)


Chilliwack, BC Engine 244, a 2018 Pierce Enforcer PUC pumper equipped with a 1250igpm pump,

500gwt and 35gft. SN 31675 (Pierce Fire trucks photo)

Westlock County, AB Engine 1, 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Fort Garry1050igpm(D)/1000gwt/30gft.

s/n #M892 (Dave Stewardson photo)

Mannville, AB Unit 920 – 2018 Ford F-550 4x4/Hub rapid attack 85igpm/300gwt/10gft

SO#1242. (Hub Fire Photo)


Montreal, QC 1729, a 2017 Pierce Impel haz mat/ command unit (SIM)

Saint-Urbain-Premier, QC 8412018 Freightliner 108SD/Maxi Métal 1050igpm(H)/2500gwt (MMFT)

Boischatel, QC 702 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Maxi Métal 1250igpm(D)/2000gwt (MMFT)


Nord-Ouest Laurentides: a 2018 Freightliner M2-106/Maxi Métal pumper-tanker with a

1250igpm Hale pump, 1480gwt and 20gft(A) with a FoamPro 2001 foam system.

Bertrand, NB Pumper1 now has a 2018 Freightliner M2-106 / Maxi Métal VIO

pumper/tanker with a 1250igpm pump, 1000gwt and 20gft(A)

For Shediac, NB, a 2018 Pierce Maxi Sabre, 1050igpm pump,1250gwt and 2x25gft.

(Photos from Maxi Metal Fire Trucks)


As the end of the year approaches, we take a look back, way back…

Starting in Quebec, Montreal’s Autopompe 281, a 1954 Bickle Seagrave with a 840igpm pump and 180gwt.

And from Salaberry de Valleyfield, QC, a 1950 Thibault WIT pumper with an 1050igpm pump and 300gwt.

SN 1950. (Tom Sheppard photos)


Looking back 40 or so years…In the 1960’s, Chicago had a lot of major fires in large, tall buildings and in industrial premises covering significant acreages where traditional equipment proved inefficient, and it was necessary to develop appliances capable of throwing a lot of water long distances, The FDNY had already put together the Super Pumper system but, beginning in 1967, Chicago built the most powerful land based

master stream units ever developed. Big Mo (6-7-2), built on a six wheel drive chassis, was equipped with a 10” manifold. Two years later, Big John (6-7-3) followed, using the lessons learned from Big Mo. This article

is taken from the 1969 CFD Annual Report.





Fire trucks working….

York Township Pumper 4 operating at a fatal industrial fire in Weston, October 9, 1977. The major blaze at Satin Finish Flooring, 8 Oak St., destroyed much of the yard. North York District Arthur Searle suffered a

heart attack at the scene while directing crews and did not survive. The large facility, still in operation today, is on the boundary between the old jurisdictions and both departments responded. Pumper 4 was a 1956

LaFrance 710-PJC pumper equipped with an 840igpm pump and 125gwt, one of a pair delivered that year. (Tom Sheppard photo)

Cambridge Aerial 6 operating at their first fire (the hall opened hours before). This outbreak destroyed the OPP Station at 500 Beaverdale Rd. in northwest Cambridge on September 4 this year. Aerial 6 is a 2018

Pierce Velocity Ascendant quint equipped with a 1331igpm pump, 428gwt, 20gft and a 110’ turntable ladder. (Gary Dinkel photo)


Looking back, last of the eight series years…

Etobicoke, ON Rescue 2, a 1988 International S1954 / Dependable heavy rescue (Larry Ward photo)

Innisfil, ON Pump 1, a 1988 Ford C8000/Almonte pumper 840igpm/1000gwt (Neil McCarten photo)

Vaughan, ON Command, a 1998 GMC C3500/1990 Sentinel command unit. (Desmond Brett photo)

Documents

Third Alarm Nov.-Dec.box52.org/TorontoNovDec2018.pdf · 2018. 12. 15. · Third Alarm November - December 2018 Page 4 From the Editor… Welcome to the last issue of 2018. It has