Today we look back at the fire company’s first ladder truck.
It was 1968 the Fire Company had just finished the new firehouse. Additionally, they purchased a new 1967 Ward LaFrance and started looking at expanding the fire company’s capabilities with the addition of a ladder truck.
At this point in time a number of apartment buildings had been built. The reach of our ground ladders was 35 feet.
They found they used 1957 American LaFrance Midship mount 85-foot aerial located at the Chillum-Adelphia Fire Company of Prince George's County, MD
In addition to its aerial ladder, it had a 500-gallon GPM pump and 200 gallons of water. The cost of the used ladder truck was $20,000. This truck would serve the township until 1975 when it would be replaced.
I was one of the the primary drivers for CAFD Truck #34 from 1964 to 1966, responding to hundreds of calls in PG and Montgomery Counties. The truck was an excellent ladder truck, that sometimes was used as a quint when staffing was too low for both truck and engine operations. TK34 was equipped with a 6 cylinder Continental engine, and a 5 speed manual transmission with a two-speed rear axle. The rear axle was mostly left in the high range, and four speeds used for most operation. The low gear was used only on starts at a steep grade. I have several photos from 1966 of the truck parked at Station 34 that can be emailed if of interest. Also, I learned of the trucks history post Chillum from Joe Shapiro, a former Newtown member. Thanks for the great web page- Dave.
