HAHN APPARATUS

Paterson's Hahn Apparatus

Hahn Fire Apparatus, also known as Hahn Motors, was a custom and commercial fire apparatus and truck builder formerly located in Hamburg, PA. It was in operation from 1916 until its closure in 1989

In the 1970s Paterson purchased 6 Hahn 1250 GPM pumpers: In 1971 four were bought and assigned to Engine Company 1, 3, 5, and 12. They were all painted red. In 1975 two new 1250 GPM pumpers were purchased: they arrived in 1976 and were assigned to Engine Companies 1 and 5 and both were painted yellow. At least one of the 1971's and one of the 1975's was later painted white.

Other than color the easiest way to distinguish a 1971 from a 1975 is that the 1975s had a brow over the front windshield and the 71s did not. Also when they arrived the blinker light on top of the cab was dome shaped in the 1971s and flat-top shaped in the 1975s. The bells on the 1975s had Eagle (? rooster) finials whereas the 1971s did not.

1971 Model with dome shaped lamp and no brow

1975 Model with flat top blinker and a brow

No Eagle finial on bell

1975 - Eagle finial on bell

1971 Engine Company 1 bell

June 5, 1971: Engine Company 1 located at 155 Van Houten Street receives a new Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HC523127120) painted red. Relocated at Engine 6 on Market Street March 24, 1976. On February 1 1978 it relocated at Engine Company 11 at 97 Grand Street. Engine 11 went out of service on September 3, 1982. After being painted white with blue lettering this Hahn apparatus went back in service in 1984 as Engine Company 7 at 97 Grand Street.

HC523127120

1974 Market Street Fire -- Engine Company 1 HC523127120

1971 Hahn HC523127120 as Engine Company 11

Engine Company 11

1971 Hahn HC523127120 as Engine Company 11 at 97 Grand Street

1971 Hahn HC523127120 as Engine Company 7 at 97 Grand Street

1971 Hahn HC523127120 as Engine Company 7 at Grand Street

1971 Hahn HC523127120 as Engine Company 7 at fire scene

1984: Engine 7 Hahn painted white

One of the 1971 Hahns at Engine 7 on Grand Street Serial # not known. Original cab dome light replaced

One of the 1971 Hahns at Engine 7 on Grand Street - original cab dome light replaced

Apparatus repained and roof air horns added

E4 1971 Hahn painted white operating out of Northside Firehouse

Circa 1987 - At left Engine 4 Hahn at multialarm fire and at right Thibault Squirt of Engine 1

In retirement in Estate, NC

June 10, 1971: Engine Company 5 at 115 Van Houten Street receives a new Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HC523127123) painted red.

FF Earl Plavier driver

HC523127123 at 115 Van Houten Street

HC523127123 E5 damaged at Main Street Fire 1972

1976-1982 - Apparatus (Serial # HC523127123) saw duty as Engine 13 at Lakeview Firehouse

Jim Koper photo

FF Dwayne Zisa at left rear - Al Credidio photo

June 14, 1971: New 1971 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HC523127122) assigned to Engine Company 3 shown in the parking lot next to the Riverside firehouse. At one point while at E3 Gold Eagles were painted on each side of the cab front. The pumper relocated to Engine Company 13 in March 1976 and then Engine Company 9 at Southside Firehouse January 26, 1978.

1971 Hahn HC523127122

Engine 3 Hahn pumper at fire scene with Engine 7 Snorkel in background

There is a story behind the golden painted eagles on the front of this 1971 Hahn pumper. An unnamed fireman, assigned to E-3, who himself was a veteran, whose father was a tour commander, and who later became a chief himself, put the eagles on. There are more than 1 firemen who fit that description. The individual put them on but when Chief Kane saw them later he was not happy and demanded they be removed! Don't know if it was a ruse or not, but Chief Kane was told that the paint job would be damaged if they try to remove the Eagles. The chief relented but sent notice that he would not let the apparatus become circus wagons. Anyone henceforth caught putting anything on the apparatus, without authorization, would be suspended without pay. The eagles made it until the day they the apparatus was sold (see below).

1971 Hahn HC523127122 at Southside FH. Eagle insignia on front were added while apparatus at E3

At Southside Firehouse

1971 Hahn HC523127122 as E9 at fire scene

E9 1971 Hahn HC523127122 Note Eagles painted on front of cab

Railroad Avenue fire

After retirement

June 22, 1971: 1971 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial HC523127121) assigned to Engine Company 12 at 36 Circle Avenue. Transferred to Engine 2 at 77 Highland Street on October 7, 1979.

HC523127121 as E12

Captain Don Salmanowitz & FF Bobby Baker standing on top and FF Charles L Walker standing behind door - E 12 1971 Hahn HC523127121

Rear view of Hahn when at Engine 12 in 1978

HC523127121 as E2 at 77 Highland Street Firehouse

HC523127121

June 1983 4th alarm on Van Houten Street

March 1976: Engine 13 received a 1971 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HC523127123) formerly used by Engine Company 5 at 115 Van Houten Street.

E 13 1971 Hahn

Miscellaneous 1971 Model Hahn Photos

1971 photo of with Engine 1 and 5 1971 Hahns, Truck 2 1969 Seagrave Aerial, Squad 1 and chief gig

1971 Hahn used by Engine Company 8 from 12/84 to 2/85

Engine 8's Hahn parked outside 97 Grand Street firehouse - Joe Hloucek Photo

Engine Company 8 using one of the 1971 Hahns (a spare in 1984)

April 1985 - Riverside FH (Engine Company 5) using a spare 1971 Hahn

A spare 1971 Hahn Pumper (marked as E8) at Riverside FH

Brogan Cadillac Fire

Right side, rear of a '71 Hahn pumper - Malzone photo

Truck 3 1969 Seagrave Aerial with a Hahn pumper

1975 Hahn pumper (? company) in action during mid-late 1970s -

The 1975 Hahn Pumpers

March 17, 1976: Engine Company 1 at 115 Van Houten Street receives a new 1975 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HCP528127624 painted yellow. Transferred to Engine Company 6 at Madison Avenue Firehouse February 1, 1978. The company relocated to Southside Firehouse on Getty Avenue September 3, 1982. It next was transferred to Engine Company 8 (painted white) located at the Hillcrest Firehouse on Union Avenue on February 13, 1985.

Engine 6 1075 Hahn HCP528127624 at Madison Avenue - Jim Koper Photo

1975 Hahn HCP528127624 as E6 at Madison Avenue Firehouse

1975 Hahn HCP528127624 as E6

1975 Hahn HCP528127624 as E6 River and Lawrence St 1983 fire

1975 Hahn HCP528127624 with T1 1975 Pirsch Aerial to the rear

1975 Hahn HCP528127624 at Southside FH in 1983

Note extended brow - 1975 model HCP12 Serial HCP528127624

1975 model HCP12 Serial HCP528127624

March 17, 1976: Engine Company 5 receives a new 1975 Hahn 1250 GPM pumper (Serial # HCP528127621 painted yellow. It relocated at Engine Company 10, then located at 198 17th Avenue on January 30, 1978. Engine 10 moved, with the Hahn to Madison Avenue Firehouse in October 1979 and its company number was then changed to to Engine Company 2 September 3, 1982 (Madison Avenue Firehouse).

Engine 10 1975 Hahn HCP528127621 at Madison Avenue

1975 Hahn HCP528127621

Dedication Plaque on front of apparatus

~ 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).

Both 1975 Hahns as Engine 10 and 6 at Madison Avenue Firehouse

Engine 10 1975 Hahn HCP528127621 at Madison Ave with E6 Hahn behind it

1975 Hahn as Engine 2 at Madison Avenue with new cab roof light and air horn

Miscellaneous 1975 Model Hahn Photos

Engine 10 1975 Hahn HCP528127621 with E6 1975 Hahn to the rear

Engine 6 Hahn

Engine 6 and 10 1975 Hahns at work

Engine 10 Hahn at fire scene

Red 1971 Hahn pumper at rear and unmarked yellow 1975 Hahn pumper in front