B-CC Rescue Wagons Follow Up

In previous posts we covered the evolution of the rescue wagons serving the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Montgomery County. As is often the case, new info is discovered or the story otherwise changes. Here's a few updates and changes. 

  The second rescue truck with B-CC is not as noted before. It is (as shown in the photo) a 1949 or 1950 Ford F-series COE with an unknown partially covered walk-in body (more about this later).

This was apparently replaced by the 1955 GMC with a very similar looking body. So similar it is believed this was a remount from the Ford minus the rear fender skirts. 

The GMC is remains in service until at least replaced by the Mack "N", Bruco as it now seems this was in early 1961 that truck a '60 build. The '55 GMC may have remained briefly as a second-out or not as it went by 1964 to the Manoa Fire Co of Haverford Township, Delaware County Pennsylvania. From there it goes about 1970 to Upper Darby's believed Highland Park Station also of Delaware County Pennsylvania.

Some photos of it in later life have surfaced and the body identified as built by Approved Fire Equipment Co. This outfit I believe was out of somewhere in New York and built bodies (larger ones) for rescue wagons serving the Philadelphia FD and FDNY as well as others. In comparing photos of those to the above there are some aspects that makes one doubt Approved as the builder. Then again I was not around then and have no idea who the builder actually was. Anyone wishing to comment or correct please do so. 

As for another of the B-CC squad trucks, the recently replaced 1994 Simon-Duplex, Saulsbury has gone to Aurelius New York. [Photo credits for above to unknown photographer posted on  Facebook.com/Unofficial History of Montgomery County Fire Rescue Services Maryland.]

Sussex Co DE Follow Up

Photo by athomas as posted on evfd75.com

In the last post we covered the various new stations opening in Sussex County. Seems however one  managed to get by me. The Ellendale FCo No 1 has recently completed their new Station 2. This is located at 8751 North Old State Road (Road 213) s/o Greeley Ave. This is in the incorporated town of Lincoln e/o US 113 not too far from (southwest of) SCEMS Medic 101 Station. As per their website, evfd75.com it is uncertain if this is in service yet or what apparatus is assigned. Thanks to Steve for the update and stay tuned for more or visit the Ellendale Fco No 1 website evfd75.com .

New Sussex County DE Stations

Photo by Rusty

In the past few years, three of Sussex Delaware's companies have opened No 2 stations. The first we'll cover is for the Millville VFCo. On June 21, 2006 they opened a No 2 house from a retrofitted barn at 34237 Omar Road west of Route 26 in the Clarkesville area. This however closed on February 16, 2009 the old barn razed for a new facility. On May 20, 2010 the Millville VFCo opened their new and much larger Station 2 on the same site and address. Assigned is E84-1, Tanker 84 (both for sale) and on occasion one of their ambulances.

Photo from laurelfiredepartment.com

On June 1, 2012, the Laurel FD No 1 opened a No 2 house a two-bay affair at 29022 Fire Tower Road near Sycamore Street in the Sycamore area east of Laurel north of Route 26. This area was briefly served by a temporary Station 2 back in late 2004 to fall 2005 while construction was underway reducing response times there. Assigned to the current house are E81-3, E81-4 and Br 81-0.

Photo by Rusty

In August 2012, the Memorial FCo of Slaughter Beach opened a No 2 Station at 8009 Slaughter Beach Road (Route 224) near Rutt Road east of Argos Corner and Del Route 1. Assigned is E89-5 a '88 Spartan 4-Guys that ran as E83-1 with the Millsboro VFCo.

Photo by Patrick C. Miller from Dagsborovfd.com

On November 10, 2012, a ground breaking ceremony was held by the Dagsboro VFCo. The new and larger Station 73 will be on Railroad Avenue at the tracks east of US 113.

Sussex County Updates

Some news to report on changes on Delmarva specifically Sussex County Delaware. The Delmar VFD recently placed in service a new Spartan "Gladiator", 4-Guys 24-foot walk-around as Rescue 74. This replaces the '99 Pierce that was wrecked back February 18, 2011. The Georgetown VFCo has a new Pierce engine under construction while the Memorial FCo of Slaughter Beach has just ordered a new Pierce "Velocity" engine tanker. They recently opened a No 2 station in Argoes Corner (more on new stations in later posts) The Greenwood VFCo will be the next Sussex County company to run a ladder truck as they recently ordered a Rosenbauer "Commander" with 109-foot "Viper" rear mount aerial outfitted as a quint. (see this at DPCemergency.com) The Millville VFCo just ordered a new E-One Typhoon rescue engine as E 84-1 their '87 PemFab, American Eagle recently sold. (see this at Patriotfireusa.com) The Milton FD is expecting a new Spartan "Metro Star", Rosenbauer for Rescue 85.The Selbyville VFCo has recently ordered as well new Rosenbauer "Commander" with T-Rex 115-foot articulating platform the first on the east coast and also a quint to replace Tower 88. In addition E88-4 their '86 Pierce "Arrow" has gone to Bloxom in Accomack County VA as E6-4.

Wilmington Fireboat 7

Back on July 11, the Wilmington FD of Delaware welcomed their latest marine firefighting vessel. This 2012 Metalcraft Marine "Firestorm 70" is 70-feet in length, has a 12,000-gpm rated pump and 300-gallons of AFFF. It is powered by 4) 825-hp diesels with jet drive. It is titled "The Firefighter" like their previous retrofitted vessel that was retired in February 2012. It was subsequently sold to private owner and last seen on a river in New Jersey. I managed to get some shots of the boat back on a very hot day this July.

For more info and pics visit the Fireboat 7 Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/groups/291305134222472/

B-CC RS The Latest Chapter

This is the latest chapter in the ongoing evolution of rescue squad trucks of the B-CC RS in Montgomery County. On June 22, 2012, their latest squad wagon went in service. This is a 2011 Spartan "Gladiator" with Rescue 1 walk-in 24-foot body. Designated RS 741 (the "alpha" or first out piece aka RS 19) this is their first tandem rear axle and replaces their '94 Simon-Duplex, Saulsbury. Thanks to Jeff Mogush for use of his photo.

OCEAN CITY RENUMBERING

For those out there waiting for this shoe to drop...finally as many have speculated, the Ocean City FD has re-numbered its apparatus. As expected the OCFD now uses a station specific format but with a minor twist. All units now identify on the radio using a "7" prefix with extra sequential number suffixes for 2nd or 3rd out. This differs slightly from the "700" company designation of pre 800 radio system days. A run down of changes follows. The Lower Shore Apparatus Roster available on the storefront has also been updated accordingly.

Engine 1 (old) '01 Saber @ 5 is now Engine 7-5
Engine 1 (new) '11 KME @ HQ is Engine 7-1
Engine 2 (old) '85 Arrow @ HQ a reserve is now Engine 7-1-2
Engine 2 (new) '11 KME @ 2 is Engine 7-2
Engine 3 '05 Dash @ HQ is Engine 7-1-1
Engine 4 '09 KME @ 4 is Engine 7-4
Tower 5 '01 Hurricane @ HQ is Tower 7-1
Tower 6 '97 Hurricane @ 3 is Tower 7-3
Rescue 7 '98 Freightliner '82 Saulsbury @ HQ is Rescue 7-1
Engine 8 '53 Ford, American parade piece @ 4 remains
Engine 9 sold to collector
Snorkel 11 '83 Arrow '66 Pitman @ 5 is Snorkel 7-5
Engine 12 '09 KME @ 3 is Engine 7-3

Brush 15 '86 Chevy @ HQ is Brush 7-1
Rescue 18 @ 5 is Rescue 7-5
Tanker 19 @ 5 is Tanker 7-5
Tanker 20 @ 5 is Tanker 7-5-1
Sp Hazards 23 @ HQ (was at 5) is Sp Hazards 7-1

The Medics use as before the station number w/ "7" prefix and yes Medic 1-1 is now Medic 7-1-1. The utility trucks are thus far the same with "7" prefix (710, 714, 780 etc) as are the chiefs (750, 751 etc). All the KME engines have new number plates (without the 7) on their front bumpers however no other re-lettering has as yet been seen. And yes just as with various localities under the COG fog of the Washington DC Metro, an OC box now brings a lot of "sevens" over the radio. In other news the City Council also just approved an expansion of Station 4 at 130th Street plus roof and facade upgrade to HQ on 15th Street.