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Owned by Randy Higgins, ACFD3.com webmaster
The Fairlawn VFD, located near Radford, Virginia, originally owned this fire truck. The truck served them until it was sold in 1993 to the Simmonsville VFD, which is located in the Appalacian Mountains just West of Roanoke, Virginia, and a short distance from the West Virginia border. The truck served these two fire departments for 34 years until a "newer" 1979 Ford diesel fire truck was donated to the Simmonsville VFD in 2001 by the City of Salem, Virginia to replace the old Ford.
The Simmonsville, VFD is located in a very rural portion of Virginia and responds to approximately 12 emergency calls annually. The members of the fire company were pretty sure that this truck never fought a fire while serving with them, although they were not certain. The fire fighting duties were handled by the newer fire trucks. Unfortunately, there were no photos or other historical information available regarding the truck.
The truck was advertised for sale and subsequently purchased by us on June 27, 2001 for $4,800.00. Upon our first inspection of the truck we drove it a few miles from the fire station to a small stream. After attaching the suction hoses to the pump we were able to draft water from the stream and flow water in under 30 seconds. This is a feat that some newer fire trucks have difficulty performing. Once this demonstration was observed we made an immediate offer to purchase the truck. Accepting the keys to our new truck from SVFD Chief Frankie Keffer and 1st Lt. Lewis Ferrier.
We had a 250 mile uneventful journey when we drove the truck home. The truck ran strong at 55+ mph the entire journey (except for the hills!) During the trip home a half dozen State Troopers passed us on the highway and waved, which is no big deal except we had no tags, title or registration!
The rig now resides in a custom built garage in our back yard and participates in many antique fire apparatus shows and parades each year. The rig is an classic example of an originally equipped fire truck from the 1960’s. It is typical of fire trucks found in small towns or villages throughout America during the 60’s through the 80’s. It has not been altered or modernized since originally entering service in 1967, which includes the original wooden ladders.
Less than a month after purchasing the rig we drove it to Harrisburg, PA to participate in the Pennsylvania Pump Primers muster, which is a large gathering of over 75 antique fire apparatus. Over the course of an hour we drafted water 20’ from the Susquehanna River and flowed over 57,000 gallons of water! Quite an impressive feat for a 34-year-old truck.
The was re-lettered him to exactly resemble a vintage Arlington County Fire Department pumper from the 1960’s.
Manufactured by the Oren Fire Apparatus Company in Vinton, Virginia on a 1967 Ford F-750 chassis.
Pouring the concrete floor in the garage.
Putting the garage together.
The garage, driveway and landscaping are complete.
Left Front Left Rear
Right Rear Right Front
Back Left Back Right
July 2003
This is a 1944 model Buckeye Roto-Ray
The cab interior is all original
The hose bed
This is the pump panel for the 750 gpm Waterous pump
First due house fire!
Another first due job! |
