April 20 1964: A new 65' Pittman Snorkel on an FWD Chassis arrives and went into service on June 30, 1964. It went in service as Engine Company 7.
The Snorkel was manned by the men of Engine 7 at Southside Firehouse on Getty Avenue. It responded to Engine 7 assignments and all second alarms. It's radio call tag was PA (Paterson Apparatus) 7. Interestingly over the bay door of the firehouse was a Snorkel No.1 sign.The 1964 Pittman Snorkel was taken out of service with the closing of Engine Company 7 on June 25, 1981..
April 20, 1964
1961 - 1965 Paterson Progress
Inside Cover of Engine 7 Journal showing June 30 date of service and installation of a diesel engine on September 3, 1970.
May 18, 1964: Apparatus accident
Paterson News
October 7, 1964 Morning Call at Post Office
October 12 1966 Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 12, 1966 Morning Call
1967: Men of Engine 7 (Snorkel One) at quarters: Captain John J. Vander Hook, Captain Warren Gallagher, Charles Recca, Thomas Alala, William F. Mosca, Roy P. McGinnis, J Pelligrino, Modestino Saveriano.
1967: Men of Engine 7 (Snorkel One) at quarters: Arthur Heydorn Sr, Captain William Willocks, Gerald Sloginski, Andy Babyak, Captain J Cartwright; at top Al Roisielllo, John Merlino, Harry Mendell.
Alan Crawford photo circa 1972 - Ambulance 92 at right
October 23, 1977 Paterson News
Drilling at Westside Park after arrival
April 20 1964 Morning Call
April 29 Paterson News
Drills at Westside Park
Fire scenes with Snorkel in action
Summer & Keen Streets 1978
Display for public at City Hasll
Assistant Chief Dan Carroll alongside Snorkel at City Hall
Assistant Chief Joe Dayspring in white helmet
Garfield Avenue
On parade - Frank Malzone photo
Malzone photo
Malzone photo
Malzone photo
Malzone photo
Paterson Roofing Fire
Paterson Roofing Fire
Paterson Roofing Fire
Engine 7 Snorkel bucket - Frank Malzone photo
Malzone photo
FFs Andy Babyak and Phil Bomhoff
Long after it was out of service, in 1985, Chief Comer had the Pitman Snorkel refurbished and as was the style at that time painted white. It operated out of Lakeview firehouse, responding to occasional serious fires but broke down frequently (pictured at Manhattan Shirt fire below)
In mid 1980s 1964 Pittman Snorkel saw transient service as E4 (out of Lakeview FH)
After being retired by Paterson, the Pitman Snorkel purchased by a construction company and in 1993 was sold to and rehabbed again and saw service at Center Township Volunteer Fire Department in Laporte Indiana. Eventually it was sold to a private entity by the board and trustees.
The former PFD Snorkel as it appeared in Texas in 2016
Dennis Hill Photo - apparatus for sale (owned by Whiteacre Woods Golf Course) in New Buffalo, Michigan - November 2017
2020 Northern Indiana Junkyard
American LaFrance Aerochief
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. went into service March 6, 1965. However Truck 3 FWD/Ahrens fox aerial was destroyed in October 1963 at the Franklin Street fire and the ALF Snorkel was assigned as Truck Company 3 at Riverside-Eastside Firehouse on Lafayette Street. The motor was converted to diesel in 1970, The riot roof was added in mid 1968.
1975 February 12 Paterson News courtesy Dennis Morrison
Truck 3 Journal - re apparatus arrival - March 6, 1965 - In service at 9:40 AM
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Malzone Photo
Entry on inside cover of Truck 3's journal
F/F Frank Mancinelli (LODD) behind driver Riot roof not yet added - Courtesy Rich Platt
Men of Truck 3 with AeroChief Snorkel: Captain Cornelius Vander Linden, Captain Daniel Dowd, Fiore Malzone, John Bachetti, Thomas W. Hannenburg. On top at left Alexander Kidd and William McCabe on right.
Below: Men of Truck 3 with AeroChief Snorkel: L-R: Captain J Feeney, Captain Joseph Nardella, Frank Mancinelli (LODD), Robert C. Wagner, Douglas Sidney. On top: William R. Shortway, Thomas Kosman, Alfonso Francavilla, John Platt, Rodney A. Sasso.
In photos below, plywood riot roofs have been installed over the open cab (in 1968)
Riverside Firehouse 1971
As a spare at Hillcrest Firehouse
Frank Malzone photo
Frank Malzone photo
Malzone photo
Phil Mendillo at left - Malzone photo
Both snorkels in action at Leonardo Looms 4th alarm October 27, 1973 (Keen Street)