61MACKBR1

That is definately the Classic 1958 Ward LaFrance Engine 6 (The one with the Eagle Embalems that were gold leafed on both the side doors of the rig). Can't tell if the other Engine Company photographed with Engine 6 was a Ward LaFrance or one of the ALF's (Can tell from the Circle Embalem on the rear what Engine Company that one was from). Does anyone have any ideas what Engine Company that was?

Any Vintage Mount Vernon or Yonkers FD Rigs from the 1960's and 1970's on the horizon?

I just happened to be visiting the City of Yonkers yesterday, while on business, and took a drive by the YFD Special Operations/New Headquarters area along Saw Mill River Road and Axminster, looking over the fence into the "Yonkers Fire Truck GRAVEYARD (where YFD places rigs/apparatus to be stored "outside" as they see there last days in Yonkers). While some of the old YFD Special Operations tractors, used to pull some of the SOD Trailers that they have, are outside among "the weeds and brush" outside of the Special Operations Building, what really caught my eye and was sad to see, was the Antique YFD Truck 5 (this was the 1950's American LaFrance Mid-Mount Ladder Truck that was restored to look like the old YFD Truck 5 that served the city back in the 1960's and into the early 1970's). Many members of the Yonkers Fire Department put in countless hours to help restore this truck. I believe that one of the original plans was to house this truck inside the eventual Yonkers Fire Department Muesum, that was originally earmarked to be at the old Station 8 on Warburton Avenue, that eventually scrapped (possibly along with the old YFD Mack CF Engine that was one of the last produced by Mack from their production line) See it "Rust" outside, with just a blue tarp over the open cab area, but allowing the actual aerial ladder section to be exposed to the elements, is just plain sad. (I thought that I had read that this Antique Truck was being stored either downstairs/inside at Station 8 or at the DPW Maintenence Garage?). This gave me visiions of seeing the old Mack B YFD Rescue Truck laying in the back of Station 10 back in 1977, after it was taken out of commission a year earlier, seeing it rust away, eventually to be towed off to oblivion (I'd bet that the YFD Historians would like to have that old Rescue Rig back to include it in a YFD Muesum). Maybe someone within YFD can rethink leaving this restored truck and move it back "inside" until the Muesum ever gets completed, somewhere in Yonkers. Truck 5.bmp

I hope that the City of Yonkers doesn't add the restored Truck 5 to its new City Auction Program! Yes, by the looks of it, a number of city agencies have a surplus of cars and trucks that appear as if they have no room for. The restored Truck 5, I believe was intended foe the YFD Muesuem that hasn't materialized ( as I believe the reconditioned Mack CF Engine 306). Maybe the city and YFD will surprise us all

It was due to the great efforts of you and the others you mentioned that made this restoration all possible. If Yonkers is not able/willing to create a Fire Muesum, then maybe Westchester County could donate a building that could be used a County Fire Muesuem where "Truck 5" could be displayed? To just sit and rust outside in the Yonkers FD SOD Graveyard just doesn't seem right.

That Eastchester FD Rescue 5 Brockway was a BEAST !!!!

WOW - What a sharp looking rig (even in 2013 !!!) - They don't make Rescue Rigs like they did back in the day with these Macks !!!! ("Took A Licking And Kept On Ticking")

Didn't the Yonkers Fire Department aquire this rig from Hastings back in the 1980's or thereabouts, and used it as a reserve rig?

I really love this style of Mack C Rescue Rig (The BEST was the Old Mount Vernon FD Mack C Box Rescue)

I am (as well as many others) well aware that the Restored Truck 5 is "NOT" the Orignal YFD Truck 5 that served the City of Yonkers back in the 1960's out of Station 12. It was a restored old USAF ALF Midmount, to which some of the members of YFD put countless hours of their own time in to restore it to look "like" the Old Truck 5.

On a serious note though - Barry, 'when' the New Ladder 12 goes into Service, is the plans then to have the Current Ladder 12 move over to and become Ladder 13? (and if so, will the current Ladder 13 goes into the NRFD spare pool (as Ladder 14 with the currenet spare ladder being sold) or will New Rochelle sell the current Ladder 13?

And Barry made it perfectly obvious to everyone, by the photos that he posted above, that the New Ladder 12 "Isn't Quite Ready" yet (Barry hasn't applied the New Rochelle FD Lettering on the Truck yet). Start getting that Gold Leaf Paint Brush out Barry ! LOL

Agree with you R1SmokeEater - I prefer the Deeper Red Color without the White Stripe (but it is a heck of allot better than being rusted). Good Job YFD on getting this classic back into the city (needs to be another YFD Museum piece)

I believe that the original plans was to convert the old carriage house, that was originally the quarters of Engine 8, on Walburton Avenue, into the YFD Muesum, but my understanding is that those plans never materialized. Would be nice to take over some space down along Saw Mill River Road, near or around the new YFD Headquarters/Special Operations Area, and make that into a YFD Museum? Otherwise, I am sure that if YFD wanted to donate it or sell it to a private collector, they could post it on the web and maybe a collector might be interested in taking it, if the museum doesn't pan out. (On the "Light Side" - Hey Fitzy, maybe the Jamestown (RI) Fire Department Museum (www.jamestownfd.com/museum) up here in Rhode Island, might take it if you wanted to donate it to their museum, I am sure that they would be happy to find a home for it (you never know). OR maybe you can find room in your garage where you retired to? LOL : ) )

Thanks Seth for the update and photos. I certainly hope that Engine 298 (Old Engine 306) doesn't end up in the YFD Special Operations Graveyard like the "Restored Truck 5" is currently residing !!! (I hope that someone places this rig (Engine 298) along with that restored Truck 5 in the eventual YFD Muesum (whereever that will be). Both rigs are "CLASSICS"

I second this comment

I am looking to see if any member of EMTBravo.net and/or a current or former member of the Yonkers Fire Department, can provide any information related to the historical Summer of 1970's fire at the Central Lanes Bowling Alley in Yonkers New York? Information such as theh run log of responding apparatus from both Yonkers (1st Alarm, 2nd Alarm, 3rd Alarm, 4th Alarm, General Alarm), as well as of the mutual aid companies who responded from neighboring communities. Any photos that also could be provided would be great as well. This incident is sometimes refered to being one of the top 5 historical fires in the history of the Yonkers FIre Department (along with the Saw Mill River Road Carpet Factory Fire, the Bronx River Road Apartment Building Fire, and the North Broadway Apartment Buiding Fire). Central Park Avenue was closed (both ways) for over 7 hours as fireman fought that battle. If my memory serves me correctly, Arson was determined to be the factor for the fire. Much thanks to all who might be able to help

Yes, thanks YFD95

Yes, you could see the smoke all the way up Central Park Avenue around the 4 corners section in Hartsdale. I was about 13 years old at the time (I have found that the actual date was July 3, 1968) and was coming down Central Park Avenue from Hartsdale with my mother and we were deverted on CPA, I think at the Yonkers boarder, because of the fire.

Thanks. Wow. He worked on Engine 1. That's a piece of YFD history. (My late uncle worked on Truck 3 and Truck 6)

Thank SRFD18. You can PM mW if you want as well

What happened to the good old days within FDMV, when you had Fire Houses that were kept up to date and functional, apparatus were up to date and ample functional spares were available (ie: 1960 and Early 1970's when you had Engine 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6, Snorkel 1, Ladder 2, Ladder 3, & Ladder 4, Rescue 1, and Foam 1) and both a Paid/Professional Staff supplimented by a Volunteer Staff (who did allot of work at the various stations on their own time and in many cases on their own dime). Ah, to have those great days gone by to return !!!

It appears that a number of Mount Vernon departments are "slow" to react to issues within their respective departments. Look at the DPW and now the Fire Department (and both ties back into the Mayors Office). Hmmmm

Great Photo! Most of the Sanitation and Snow Plow Chassis from back in the late 1950's and Early to Mid 1960's, that were common throughout a number of DPW's throughout Westchester County (White Plains, Yonkers, Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Eastchester, etc) were indeed OSHKOSH Chassis. (Sanitation Trucks often were the combinaton of Leach Bodies mounted on Oshkosh Chassis)

Thanks Chief for bring attention back on a piece of Major Emergency Service History within Westchester County. That specific event back in 1973 in Mount Venon certainly stretched the resources not only of the FDMV but the surrounding areas as well. As you outlined so well in your post, the Mount Vernon Fire Department were certainly tested many many times in the early 1970's, with not only the Train Wreck of June 8th, but as you said, the Pioneer Supermarket Fire, the A&P Supermarket Fire, as well as the massive Fanner Farmer/Bee Hive Restaurant Fire on 4th Avenue. Those were the days when FDMV had Engine 1, Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 4, Engine 5 and Engine 6, Snorkel 1, Ladder 2, Ladder 3, and Ladder 4, Rescue 1, Foam 1, and Ambulance 1. There was also a very impressive Volunteer Fire Department assisting the paid department in Mount Vernon during those days. Oh how have times have changed. Finally, historical events such as these, just reminds us all how important County Run Disaster Drills, especially a Southern Westchester County Emergency Response Drill, having communities such as Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Eastchester, White Plains, Pelham, Pelham Manor, Hastings, Dobbs Ferry, Ardsley, Greenville, Hartsdale, Fairview, Scarsdale, Mamaroneck, Larchmont, Rye, and Port Chester all participating, is so so important. Really, when was the last time that the County DES led various "Multi Departmental Supported' Disaster Drills throughout various locations within Westchester County? Maybe Chiefhac's post will light a fire under some in charge within the County DES and get these drills back going again.