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Fire Fighting Equipment

Texas Transportation Museum, San Antonio

Each of the three pieces below served in San Antonio

Click on images to enlarge

1898 American La France 'Metropolitan' Steam Fire Pumper, #3258.

Pulled by three horses abreast. Built in Elmira, New York. Film of this fire pumper in use exists in the city archive. Last used in San Antonio on April 4, 1921. Following a flood downtown, the pumper was used to drain out quite a few basements. This same flood also led to the creation of what we now know as the river walk. Instead of re-routing the river, which was very seriously suggested, to avoid a repeat of the flooding, it was decided to create better flood controls.

1924 Buffalo Fire Truck.

Built by the Buffalo Fire Appliance Corporation of Buffalo, NY, which went out of business in 1931. It was owned and operated by the Alamo Heights fire department until the late 60's when Texas law forbade such ancient equipment. It now has an inline six cylinder engine, with four forward gears and reverse. We believe this is the fourth engine fitted to this vehicle, which has a Genral Motors truck chassis. While it has had any number of modifications over the years, including diamond plate steel bumpers, it has four wheel mechanical brakes. It gets about 3 MPG.

Two archive images of the fire truck from the Alamo Heights Fire Department

1958 American La France Fire Truck.

Large, powerful fire pumper, which could carry a crew of six. Engine has twin starters, points and carbs. Gets 1.5 MPG. Five forward speed manual transmission including low ratio. Carried its own water supply to begin fire fighting immediately until it could be hooked up to a fire hydrant. This truck was owned and operated by the North East Volunteer Fire Department, which disbanded in 2001. The area is now served by the full time, city fire department.

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