MACK APPARATUS

Paterson Mack Apparatus

Mack Trucks produced fire apparatus from 1911 until 1990. The L Series of Mack fire trucks, of which our featured fire truck is a part of, were produced between 1940 and 1956.

1915: Both Engine Company 1 and 5, located at 115 Van Houten Street Fire Headquarters, received Mack Combination Chemical and Hose Wagons to replace their Sampson Auto Chassis Hose Wagons.

The last Pre-World War II fire apparatus purchased by Paterson were an Ahrens Fox pumper (for Engine 10) in 1931 and aerial (for Truck 3) in 1932. Because of budegtary resrtictions during the depression and then material shortages and restriction during World War II, the Paterson Fire Department was denied permission to purchase new apparatus until the war ended.

October 4, 1948

Two new Mack pumpers arrived in Paterson in 1948. They are shown being received outside of Fire Headquarters at 115 Van Houten Street. Engine Company 5 is in background and Engine Company 12 is at right. The legend to the Paterson Evening News clip states: "Two new fire engines of the most modern design are inspected after delivery at headquarters of the city fire department on Van Houten Street. Standing before the apparatus are Chief James Troy, Commissioner John Kent of the Fire and Police Commission. Deputy Chief Hobart Strathearn and Assistant Master Mechanic John J. Carroll. The drivers on the vehicles are fireman George Findlow and William Comer."

Courtesy Dennis Morrison

L-R are Meyer Jaffe (clerk Board Police & Fire Commissioners), Harry B Haines (publisher Paterson Evening News), Jack Stern (Fire Commissioner), Mayor Michael Devita, ?, Chief James Troy and ? William Comer (a future Chief) is in drivers seat - Dayspring Collection

October 14, 1948: Engine Company 5 at 115 Van Houten Streets and Engine Company 12 at 36 Circle Avenue received new Mack Model 95 Triple Combination 1000 GPM open cab pumpers, replacing a 1931 Ahrens Fox and 1923 American La France pumper respectively (and shown below).

Ahrens Fox used by E5 in 1948 (here shown as E3)

E12 1923 ALF

Engine Company 5

In bay at 115 Van Houten Street with DC Hobart Strathearn in Captains seat

On street outside 115 Van Houten Street Headquarters

E5 at 1951 4th Alarm Crayon Factory Fire (North 10th Street) - Apparatus at Jefferson and North 9th Streets

E5 Mack in photo below at unknown fire scene. To the extreme left is a glimpse of the rear of the other 1948 Mack pumper - Depending on date of photo that could be E12 or E1.

Hancock Collection

Engine Company 12

No known photos have surfaced

Engine Company 1

January 1952: Engine Company 1 receives the 1948 Mack Model 95, 1000 GPM pumper of Engine Company 12 on Circle Avenue. The Mack replaced E-1's 1930 Ahrens Fox pumper (at right). Here it is pictured in its bay at 115 Van Houten Street: FF Don Salmanowitz (appointed 1954) with daughter

E1 Mack backing into quarters at Van Houten Street

Engine Company 7

January 23, 1958: 1948 Mack Model 95 1000 GPM pumper formerly used by Engine Company 1 replaced the Ahrens Fox that had been used by E 7 at the Gould Avenue Firehouse since 1931 (at left). The Mack is seen below at Southside Firehouse on Getty Avenue (company moved there in 1962).

The Mack became a spare pumper used by Engine Company 7 after the arrival of the 1965 FWD Pittman Snorkel put in service Engine 7. However due to frquent mechanical problems with the Snorkel, the Mack still saw plenty of action.

E7's Pittman Snorkel

Note addition of windshield flashing lights to the pumper and also plywood riot roofs added which were added to all PFD apparatus in 1968.

E7 at Fire Scene - to the rear is one of the 1957 FWD pumpers. Riot roof dates this to 1968 or later

January 23, 1958: Engine Company 13, then located at 23rd Avenue firehouse had its 1928 Ahrens Fox pumper (at right) replaced by the 1948 Mack Model 95 1000 GPM Triple Combination pumper formerly used by Engine Company.

In 1962, Engine 13 (with the Mack Pumper) relocated to the Lakeview Firehouse on Trenton Avenue. Shown below in its bay in a 1968 Ball Book photo before riot roof installed in 1968. Parked to the rear is Paterson's other 1948 Mack (Engine 7).