Station Two’s Classics

Through out most of the fifties and sixties, Station 2 on Florence Street ran these two classic rigs. The pump ( Unit 12 ) was a 1953 LaFrance 700 series with a 840IGPM pump and a 200Gal water tank. it was the first of the post war LaFrance rigs London bought and was the only closed canopy cab rig . The aerial ( Unit 22 ) was a 1951 Bickle-Seagrave Anniversary series 75′ service aerial. In keeping with the times, it was an open cab rig. Built in Woodstock Ontario, it was the only rig of its type on the LFD roster. Both rigs soldiered on well into the early seventies, although in later years they were spare trucks.

I recall a Sunday night in August of 1966. My family and I ( I was 11 years old ) were returning from a fun family picnic in Stratford. My parents, 2 sisters and an aunt were riding in my sisters 1959 Vauxhall. My Dad was driving. I was with my two brothers and my oldest brothers girlfriend. As we pulled up to the red light at Dundas and Egerton Streets, we wondered why everyone was suddenly bailing out of the Vauxhall. We quickly realized it was on fire!! After several attempts to find a phone to use, my oldest brother finally was able to call the Fire Department. Within a few short minutes I could hear a siren screaming and  Unit 12 roared  onto the scene. Soon my sisters shiny red car was a smoldering shell in the middle of  Dundas. Secretly, I was thrilled. But I could not let Mom know!

The two photo’s of the Bickle-Seagrave and the ramp shot of the pump are courtesy of Walt McCall. The other picture of the pump is from my collection