Apparatus

A Brief History of  Apparatus


Truck Collage

Since its construction in 1930, the firehouse at 76 Main Street has seen many changes occur in our town of Farmington. In order to keep up with the increasing number of new buildings and the ever- expanding population, the Farmington Volunteer Fire Department has used many pieces of firefighting apparatus.

The first fire engine to roll out of the station's center bay was an American LaFrance pumper already owned by the town when it was still known as “The Borough of Farmington.” The pumper measured almost eighteen feet in length and pumped 350 gallons per minute from an 85 gallon tank. It's cab consisted of one bench seat with the steering wheel positioned on the right hand side. There was no cab roof or windshield, and the only thing to keep the elements from the engineer's eyes was great, shiny brass bell, mounted just above the dashboard, The rear wheels were driven by chain and the hose bed allowed only enough room for 2 ½ inch hose. The smaller hoses had to be packed into a wire mesh basket mounted between the two wooden ladders.

Then in 1935, a second American LaFrance was purchased. This piece was similar to the first one but it boated a 125 gallon tank and a pump which supplied 500 gallons per minute. The addition of this engine doubled the firefighting capabilities of the department.

About 1940, a smaller Ford Motor Company pumper was purchased to augment the firefighting capacity of a rapidly expanding town. The pumper was built in a Model A truck chassis and, at a time when Farmington had much woodland, was used extensively in fighting brush fires. Now, for the first time, the three bay firehouse was filled.

Nine years later, a large Mack closed-cab pumper found its was to the Farmington firehouse. It was obtained then to better protect the many new homes and businesses in the town. Replacing the oldest LaFrance, the 25 foot pumper carried 500 gallons of water and housed a pump rated at 750 gallons per minute. This engine is still in service at the East Farms firehouse.

In 1953 a new Ford pumper was delivered to the firehouse. This pumper replaced the remaining American LaFrance engine and sported a 150 gallon per minute pump and a 200 gallon tank. The hose bed carried both 2 ½ inch and 1 ½ inch hose and was equipped with a reel to carry the smaller, hard rubber booster hose. An overhead rack gave space for new aluminum ladders and enough compartment space was available for a good assortment of firefighting gear. In 1965, the cab and chassis were replaced, the size of the tank increased to 350 gallons and the pumper upgrated to 500 gallons per minute. Engine 1 is still in service.

The next apparatus to find its home in the Farmington center station is a 1959 Mack. At present, Farmington Engine 3 carries 750 gallons of water with a 750 gallons per minute pump.

There are two other pieces of apparatus among the battery of equipment at the Main Street firehouse. The first Truck 5, is a jeep used as a utility and brush fire vehicle. The other, a 1970 Mack diesel engine pumper. Engine 4 carries 1000 gallons of water and will pump 100 gallons of water per minute. It carries a full complement of firefighting equipment including ladders, protective gear, breathing apparatus, foam generating equipment, hand and power tools, rescue equipment, ventilation equipment and portable extinguisher.

Looking toward the future, a telescopic boom with an elevating platform is in the works. With the delivery date in late 1978, this massive engine will enable firefighting in all sections of town to extend firefighting operations well over the 70 foot level. This new capacity will directly effect all structures with three or more floors and those with board expanses of roof, insuring greater safety for all occupants.

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Medic 12
Medical Unit

2004 Ford F-350 with Swab Pioneer Rescue Body
Type of Calls: Medical Calls; MVA w/ Injuries; Water/ Ice Rescue (with Boat Trailer)


Ladder 1

Aerial

2001 Pierce 95'Midmount Ladder Truck [70,540Ibs].
Only Ladder Truck in Town, equipped with RIT Pack.

Type of Calls: Fire Alarms/ Structure Assignments;  Elevator Emergencies; Water Emergencies 


Engine 4

Class A Pumper
1997 Pierce Saber Pumper [34,100Ibs; 750 Gallons of Water; 1250 GPM Pump].

Equipped with Hurst Jaws of Life, Res-Q-Jak Vehicle Stabilization System & assorted Rescue Tools.
Type of Calls: Medical Calls; MVA w/ Injuries;
Water/ Ice Rescues; Fire Alarms/ Structure Assignments


Engine 6

Class A Pumper
1997 Pierce Saber Pumper [33,460Ibs; 750 Gallons of Water; 1250 GPM Pump].
Equipped with Gas Meters & Thermal Imaging Camera.
Type of Calls: Fire Alarms/ Structure Assignments; CO Alarms; Wires Down/ Burning; Brush Fires

Truck 14
Brush Truck
1997 GMC 3500 [10,160Ibs; 180 Gallons of Water].
Type of Calls: Wires Down/ Burning (traffic control); Water Emergencies; Brush Fires


Water Rescue Trailer

2014 Built in-house equipped with Avon Inflatable Boat and Ice Rescue Gear & Rope Gun.
Type of Calls: Water/ Ice Rescues


( OG ) Medic 7

*Relocated
Medical Unit
2004 Ford F-350 with Swab Pioneer Rescue Body.

Type of Calls: Medical Calls; MVA w/Injuries; Water/ Ice Rescues


( OG )
Engine 8

*Relocated
Class A Pumper

1997 Pierce Saber Pumper [31,080Ibs; 750 Gallons of Water; 1250 GPM Pump].
Equipped with Gas Meters & Thermal Imaging Camera.
Type of Calls: MVA; Fire Alarms/ Structure Assignments; CO Alarms; Elevator Emergencies; Wires Down/ Burning; Car Fires; Brush Fires; Medical Calls (upon request)