AMERICAN LaFRANCE

Paterson's American LaFrance Apparatus

The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company was one of the oldest fire apparatus manufacturers in America. With roots that go back to approximately 1832, the companies that went on to become American LaFrance (ALF) built hand-drawn, horse-drawn, and steam-powered fire engines. Founded in 1873 by Truckson LaFrance and his partners, including Alexander S. Diven as the LaFrance Manufacturing Company selling hand powered equipment. The International Fire Engine Company, corporate predecessor of American LaFrance, built some steam power fire engines between 1903-1907. Apparatus built by International included horse drawn steamers, hose wagons, and hook & ladders to chemical engines, water towers and combinations.

1967 Advertisement

In 1900 the American Fire Engine Company and the LaFrance Fire Engine Company both became part of the International Fire Engine Company which went bankrupt in 1903. The American-LaFrance Fire Engine Company, Ltd., of Elmira, New York, emerged in as its corporate successor.

ALF delivered its first motorized fire engine in 1907. Over the years, American LaFrance built thousands of fire trucks including chemical engines, combination pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, Aero Chief snorkel trucks, and airport crash trucks. The classical style of the American LaFrance apparatus is easily recognized. Some of the company's innovations led to changes in the industry, most notably the cab forward style cab. In 1995, the company was bought by Freightliner LLC., which is a subsidiary of Daimler AG.

The "Metropolitan” steam fire engine was first produced by the American Fire Engine Company, of Seneca Falls, N. Y,. was advertised as the most advanced and perfect specimen of the piston type of fire engine. It was first produced for New York City, but the excellent results obtained led to its ready adoption by other large cities including Paterson N.J. After the great fire of 1902, Paterson finally started to upgrade obtaining state of the art steam fire engines.

May 27, 1903: Engine Company One received a new First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine. In 1912 the steamer was motorized by attaching to a Nott Propelling tractor and the company relocated to Central Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street. In 1917 a Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractor was attached to the steamer and hose wagon.

Engine 1 Metropolitan Steamer

Engine 1 at the 110 Van Houten Street Firehouse

Engine 1 Metropolitan with Nott Propelling tractor at bay in 115 Van Houten Street (Central Fire Headquarters)

Engine 1 Metropolitan Steamer with electric tractor

Rear view of Engine 1 Metropolitan Steamer as it sits in bay at headquarters

1903: First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine was also placed at Engine Company 5, then located at 128 Water Street. In 1912 the steamer was motorized attaching to a Nott Propelling tractor and the company relocated to Central Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street. In 1917 a Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractor was attached to the steamer and hose wagon.

Engine 5 Metropolitan Steamer at 128 Water Street quarters

At Central Fire Headquarters - 115 Van Houten Street

1904: Engine Company 2 at 77 Highland Street received a new First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine (along with a First Size Robinson Combination wagon). In 1917 a Commercial Truck Company Electric Tractor was attached to the steamer and hose wagon.

Engine 2 Metropolitan Steam Fire Engine

77 Highland Street Firehouse

Company aligned against the steamer outside of Highland Street quarters

August 1915: New American LaFrance Boiler was put on Engine Company 6 second size 1907 Nott Steamer to which a Christie Front Drive tractor had been attached in 1913. Apparatus pictured below in front of quarters

Engine 6 outside of quarters on Market Street

1917: Engine Companies 7 and 10 receive a new First Size Metropolitan Steam Fire Engines with a Commercial Truck Company Electric Drive tractors: Engine 7 serial # was 7093. Engine 10 shown below ultimately becomes the last steam fire engine to ever see action in Paterson. It was retired on July 16, 1931.

Commercial Truck Company Advertisement

Engine 10 in a parade

Engine 10 Metropolitan Steamer

Engine 10 Metropolitan Steamer at an East 33rd Street fire

1923: Engine Company 12 on Circle Avenue and North Third Street received a First Size American LaFrance Combination Hose Chemical and Pumping Engine (Serial # 4415). Originally had solid rubber tires.

November 30, 1932: Engine Company 11 received a 1922 chain-driven American LaFrance 500 GPM pumper (Serial # 5030). Paterson acquired it from Haledon NJ Fire department where this apparatus had been severely damaged in an accident. The Ahrens Fox representative had it repaired and gifted it to Paterson. In PFD records this is referred to as either a type 12 or type 75 model.

E 11 ALF Pumper

E 11 ALF apparatus with men of PFD Auxiliary Department (WW II)

February 12, 1965: Paterson purchased a new American LaFrance 90' AeroChief Snorkel and assigned it to Truck Company 3 at the Riverside-Eastside Firehouse on Lafayette Street.

Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison

Entry on inside cover of Truck 3's journal

Riot roof not yet added - Courtesy Rich Platt

In photos below, plywood riot roofs have been installed over the open cab (in 1968)

1968 at 10th Avenue 2nd alarm - note presence of riot roof over cab - Malzone photo

January 24, 1978

Three new lime-yellow ALF on display at City Hall: Entering Cab is DC Edward McLaughlin on left and Mayor Pat Kramer on right. In the rear of apparatus are Ed Conklin, Captain Earl Plavier, Captain James Tasca and Howard Morcom

February 3, 1978 News clip

January 24, 1978: A new 1977 American LaFrance 740 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # CE175677) painted yellow was assigned to Engine Company 1, then located at Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street. It had a distinctive ALF bell with Eagle above right front bumper, suction hose on the left (driver's) side and a single circular flashing light with a clear globe on the cab roof. There were vertical red and blue stripes on the cab doors. It had a Detroit V6 with an Allison 6V71 transmission.

Engine 1 ALF (Serial CE175677) at fire scene

Engine 1 ALF (Serial CE175677)

Engine 1 ALF (Serial CE175677) exiting 115 Van Houten Street.

Engine 1 ALF (Serial CE175677)

Engine 1 ALF )(Serial CE175677) at April 1978 Fulton Street Fire

Pump panel (Apparatus at Van Houten Street)

Rear view (Apparatus at Van Houten Street)

At Madison Avenue Firehouse (Serial CE175677) Spare Apparatus

Engine Company 1 ALF (Serial CE175677) went out of service on June 26 1981 and the pumper became a spare.

This ALF apparatus then went to Engine Company 13 at the Lakeview Firehouse on July 1, 1982. Shortly thereafter on September 13, 1982 Engine Company 13 went out of service but the company (and apparatus) was renumbered as Engine Company 3, still located at Lakeview Firehouse.

At Lakeview Firehouse on Trenton Avenue in 1983 (Serial CE175677)

At Lakeview Firehouse on Trenton Avenue (Serial CE175677)

Engine 3 ALF (CE 175677) on apron at Lakeview Firehouse in 1983

Van Houten Street fire scene (Serial CE175677) - at this time running out of Lakeview FH.

The pumper, ALF (Serial CE175677) was painted white in June 1984. The red and blue stripes on cab door were now diagonal

ALF CE 175677 at Engine 3 in Lakeview Firehouse. Painted white 1984

View from the rear of ALF CE 175677 at Engine 3 in Lakeview Firehouse

ALF CE 175677

ALF CE 175677 James Wensell Photo ~1980s

January 27, 1978: Another new 1977 American LaFrance 740 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # CE175678) painted yellow was received by Engine Company 3 at the Riverside Firehouse. Like its sister ALF apparatus at Engine Company 1, ALF CE175678, this pumper also had a distinctive ALF bell with Eagle above right front bumper, suction hose on the left (driver's) side and a single circular flashing light with red dome on the cab roof. From 1984 to 1989 the apparatus saw service as Engine Company 2 at the Madison Avenue Firehouse. This pumper also had a Detroit V6, 6V71 Allison transmission.

E3 ALF CE175678 at Riverside FH with Truck 3 Seagrave

E3 ALF CE175678 at Fulton Street Fire 1978

Apparatus out of service for repair October 1982 until June 1983 (also painted white)

On September 3, 1983, Engine Company 3 (and the ALF apparatus #CE175678) was renumbered as Engine Company 10 but still located at the Riverside Firehouse.

E10 ALF CE175678 at Riverside FH

E10 ALF CE175678

E10 ALF CE175678 at 90th Anniversary Parade (Hancock Collection)

E10 ALF CE175678

At some point just before Engine 10, was disbanded in 1984 the cab roof flashing red light changed to a dome-shaped cover.

E10 ALF CE175678 - Note the red light on top of cab is now dome shaped

From December 3, 1984, to 1989 the apparatus saw service as Engine Company 2 at the Madison Avenue Firehouse. Notice the shape of the cab flashing light changed to a dome-shaped red cover.

Engine 2 ALF CE175678 in 1985 at Madison Avenue Firehouse

Engine 2 ALF CE175678 at Madison Ave FH

ALF CE175678 as Engine Company 2

January 27, 1978: A third new 1977 American LaFrance 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # CE175679) painted yellow was received by Engine Company 5 then located at Headquarters on 115 Van Houten Street. Like its sister ALF apparatus at Engine Company 1 and 3, ALF CE175677 and CE175678, this pumper also had a distinctive ALF bell with Eagle above right front bumper, suction hose on the left (driver's) side and a single circular flashing light on the cab roof. It had vertical red and blue stripes on the cab doors. It also had a Detroit V6 with a 6V71 Allison Transmission,

Shortly after being put in service, on April 29, 1978 the new Company 5 apparatus was badly damaged at the Fulton Street fire and removed from service.

Damaged E5 ALF CE175679

Rear view of damaged E5 ALF CE175679

It took several years, but the ALF pumper (CE175679) was ultimately refurbished as a Telesquirt and assigned to Engine Company 1 at Madison Avenue in 1982. Note that to accommodate the hose tower and ladder, there were now two new cab roof flashing lights which were rectangular shape. The blue and red stripes on cab door were vertical

1977 ALF CE175679 (former E5) at Madison Avenue Firehouse October 1982

1977 ALF CE175679 (former E5) at Madison Avenue FH October 1982

1977 ALF CE175679 (Hancock Collection)

1977 ALF CE175679 (Natoli Collection)

Suction hose pipes removed from driver's side rear of apparatus and replaced by a hose bed.

1977 ALF CE175679 (Natoli Collection)

Engine 1 ALF CE175679 at Icy River Street Fire

In 1985 the 1977 ALF Telesquirt (Serial CE175679) was transferred to Engine 6 at Southside Firehouse where it remained until 1989.

1977 ALF Telesquirt conversion CE175679 at Engine Co 6: photo in lot across from firehouse

ALF Telesquirt conversion CE175679 at Engine Co 6 at Southside FH

ALF CE175679 at 90th Anniversary Parade (Hancock Collection)

ALF Telesquirt conversion CE175679 at Engine Co 6 at Southside FH

~ November 1979 - Photo from Madison Avenue firehouse. At left are two new ALF pumpers that would go to E5 (Van Houten Street) and E12 (Circle Avenue). At right are Engine 6 and 10 (1975 Hahn Pumpers).

Courtesy Al Credidio

November 5, 1979: A new American LaFrance Century 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # CE6620) painted yellow was received by Engine Company 5, then located at Headquarters on 15 Van Houten Street. Had Detroit in-line 6 motor and an Allison Transmission HT740D. It had a distinctive ALF bell with Eagle above right front bumper, a single circular flashing light with red cover on the cab roof but unlike the 1977 ALF pumpers had cabinets, not suction hose on the left (driver's side)of the apparatus. Red and blue stripes on door were vertical.

E5 ALF # CE6620 at Van Houten Street

E5 ALF # CE6620 at fire scene

November 5, 1979: A new American LaFrance 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # CE6621) painted yellow was received by Engine Company 12, then located at 36 Circle Avenue. Had Detroit in-line 6 motor and an Allison Transmission HT740D and a characteristic ALF bell with Eagle finial above right front bumper, a single circular flashing light with red cover on the cab roof but unlike the 1977 ALF pumpers had cabinets, not suction hose on the left (driver's side) of the apparatus. The blue and red stripes on cab doors were vertical.

E12 ALF CE6621 at Circle Avenue FH

E12 1979 ALF CE6621 at Circle Avenue FH

In September 1982 Engine 12 was put out of service and renumbered as Engine Company 9, still using the same (but renumbered) ALF #CE6621.

E9 ALF CE6621 at Circle Avenue FH

E9 ALF CE6621 (Natoli Collection)

1979 ALF (CE6612) at fire - unknown if it was E12 or E9 in this photo

August 2018 - ALF model built by Albert Alberti 1/25 scale

The 1979 ALF pumper (CE 66220) which was originally assigned to Engine 5 was later converted to a Telesquirt and returned to service on December 3, 1984 at Engine 5 (at Riverside Firehouse). The original single flashing light on the cab roof was replaced by two circular (not rectangular) cab flashing lights, which created space for the tower to fit. It remained in service there until 1987. Airhorns were also added. There were no stripes on cab doors

E5 ALF CE6620 Telesquirt conversion

CE 66220

E5 ALF CE6620 Telesquirt conversion

The 1979 ALF (Serial #CE 66220) Telesquirt conversion last assignment was at Engine Company 3 at Lakeview Firehouse from 1989 to 1996.

1979 ALF (Serial #CE 66220) Telesquirt conversion

In September 1982, Engine Company 12 was put out of service and renumbered as Engine Company 9, still using ALF #CE6621. It remained at the Circle Avenue firehouse. In 1984 this pumper was sent out for conversion to a 55' (Reddi-Tower) Telesquirt. After restoration the apparatus, now painted white, returned from factory in 1985 marked as Engine Company 9 (see photo below).

In fact it never saw service as Engine 9 because due to structural issues the Circle Avenue Firehouse could no longer accomodate such a heavy apparatus and the pumper being used by Engine 9 had relocated to 77 Highland Street, a old firehouse that also could not accommodate a Telesquirt. The Telesquirt with the E9 markings actually participated in the 90th Anniversary parade (see photo below). The Telesquirt (ALF CE6621) was then (1985) sent to Engine 8 at Hillcrest Firehouse on Union Avenue. Note the cab roof now had two flashing lights but no airhorns.

1979 ALF CE6621 converted to Telesquirt in 1985 and labeled as but never assigned to E9

ALF CE6621 Telesquirt in 1985 in 90th Anniversary Parade - saw duty as E8

In fact the Telesquirt never saw service as Engine 9 because due to structural issues the Circle Avenue Firehouse could no longer accommodate such a heavy apparatus and the Hahn pumper being used by Engine 9 had relocated to 77 Highland Street, an old firehouse that also could not accommodate a Telesquirt. The Telesquirt with the E9 markings actually participated in the 90th Anniversary parade (see photos above). The Telesquirt (ALF CE6621) was then (1985) sent to Engine 8 at Hillcrest Firehouse on Union Avenue. Note the cab roof now had two flashing lights but no airhorns. The cab door had no stripes.

Telesquirt at Engine Company 8 on Union Ave (Hillcrest FH); 1979 ALF CE6621

At 1991 Meyer's Brothers General Alarm fire: 1979 ALF CE6621

Engine 8 Telesquirt at Hillcrest Firehouse: 1979 ALF CE6621

1985: the three ALF Squirts in PFD's 90th Anniversary Parade

Antonio DeFranco photo

1977 - 1979 ALF pumper summary:

          1977 ALF (serial CE1756770     Never converted to Telesquirt
          1977 ALF (serial CE175678)     Never converted to Telesquirt
          1977 ALF (serial CE 175679)    Damaged at Fulton Street - Converted to Telesquirt

          1979 ALF (serial CE6620)         Converted to Telesquirt
          1979 ALF (serial CE6621)         Converted to Telesquirt

November 13, 1981: Truck Company 2 at 115 Van Houten Street receives a new American LaFrance Aero Chief 100' rear-mount aerial painted yellow (Serial # 7254).

June 28, 1982: When the Van Houten Street quarters closes Truck 2 ALF relocates to the Hillcrest Firehouse for a two month period (June 28-September).

Drill prior to entering service

Apparatus shown above and below drilling at Southside Firehouse prior to entering service - it still had not received PFD insignias on door.

ALF Aerochief Serial 7254

Original all yellow apparatus that served at 115 Van Houten Street Serial #7254

June 28, 1982: When the Van Houten Street quarters closes Truck 2 ALF relocates to the Hillcrest Firehouse for a two month period (June 28-September).

September 3, 1982: the truck is renumbered as Truck 1 and relocated to the Madison Avenue firehouse.

1982 - as Truck 1 at Madison Avenue Firehouse Serial #7254

1981 - as Truck 1 at Madison Avenue Firehouse Serial #7254

1981 - as Truck 1 at Madison Avenue Firehouse

May 14, 1985: The cab was painted white and but the rear was left as yellow (due to cost)
September 3, 1985: Transferred to Hillcrest Firehouse

Hillcrest Firehouse 1985 - cab now painted white -- Serial #7254

Hillcrest Firehouse ALF Aerochief Serial #7254

Hillcrest Firehouse Cab closeup

June 24, 1985 Main Street fire

Two toned version at Madison Ave 1994 Fire Serial #7254