American LaFrance 3

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AMERICAN

LAFRANCE

Page 3 - "CAPE COD AMERICAN LAFRANCE APPARATUS"
By Britton Crosby
March 11, 2005 - Updated September 19, 2010

Provincetown, Massachusetts owned a number of American LaFrance apparatus.
This 1936 pumper of Engine Company No.4 served 40 years active duty
and is presently being restored by the department.
(Provincetown collection)

American LaFrance

Several Cape Cod fire departments have owned American LaFrance apparatus. Although not dominant in the area, some very well loved and respected ALF apparatus have served the Cape.
The first motorized fire truck on the Cape was a Model T Ford - American LaFrance chemical truck owned by the Cotuit Chemical Company (fire department). It is still owned by the Cotuit department. The most recent American LaFrance was delivered to the Dennis Fire Department in 2003 for Engine 106.

Cotuit's Ford Model T - American LaFrance chemical truck
was the first motorized fire truck on Cape Cod. It had twin
35 gallon chemical tanks and a couple ladders.

Cotuit refurbished the Model T after it was damaged by a
fire during a July 4 parade in the 1970s. It has been
restored to near perfect condition.

Another Model T - American LaFrance chemical truck was owned by
the Bourne Fire Depatment.

The Wellfleet Fire Department got its start with this 1929 American LaFrance
500 gpm pumper.

Provincetown bought this American LaFrance for Engine 1 in 1930.
It had a 500 gpm pump and cost the town $7,000.

Provincetown bought a smaller American LaFrance truck for Engine 2
also in 1930.

Provincetown added this American LaFrance in 1936.
Engine 4 had a 500 gpm pump.
(Provincetown collection)

Provincetown bought two series 600 American LaFrance engines in 1945.
Engine 5 served the east end with this 200 gpm - 500 gallon - V-12 unit.

Provincetown Engine 1 - 1945 Series 600 LaFrance.
These were the last LaFrance engines purchased by Provincetown.

The Harwich Fire Department bought this Series 700 American LaFrance
in 1953. It had a 750 gpm pump and served as Engine 3 into the 1970s.
Originally gas, it was later re-powered with diesel and had compartments
added.

1953 Engine 3 shown in 1976 shortly before its retirement
from active duty. It served as a muster truck for a couple years
after it retired.

The Yarmouth Fire Department bought this series 700 in 1953 also.
It served on the north side of Yarmouth in Yarmouth Port as Engine 2.

Originally owned by the American Legion in Vineyard Haven (Tisbury) on Martha's
Vineyard, this 1949 American LaFrance 700 series pumper was bought by
the members of the Centerville-Osterville Fire Department muster team in 1974.

The C-O muster truck was repainted and cleaned up for musters and parades.

Known as 'Engine 51' the 1949 ALF is powered by a V-12 motor.
It has a 500 gpm pump.

This 1969 American LaFrance 1000 series Aerial Ladder truck
was owned by the Falmouth Fire Department as Ladder 1.

The Brewster Fire Department bought this 1981 American LaFrance ladder truck used.
It belonged to the Bellville, NJ Fire Department and was purchased by Brewster in 1993.

Three COMM Fire Rescue ambulances are 2000 Freightliner - American LaFrance -
Aero Medic Master ambulances.

The newest American LaFrance on the Cape was bought by the dennis Fire Department in 2003.
Engine 106 is a modern style ALF with a 1500 gpm pump, 750 gallon tank.
It carries extrication tools and is setup as an ALS Engine.