The first book published exclusively on fire trucks produced by the Pirsch Company of Kenosha, WI. Best known for the invention of the world's first all-powered aerial ladder, the Pirsch Company also produced a variety of fire trucks. From hand-drawn ladder wagons in the 1800s to modern day diesel powered pumpers and aerial ladders. The factory produced thousands of trucks for fire departments, military and private fire brigades all over the world. See some of Pirsch's unique apparatus including: a pumper built to travel on railroad tracks; and a huge smoke ejector built on a custom built chassis. Factory photos show the different types of fire equipment and trucks produced on both custom and commercial chassis.

Take an exciting look at Navy & Marine fire apparatus used at shore installations worldwide. See rare and fascinating photographs such as horse drawn vehicles, early-motorized fire trucks, unusual vehicles built for special operations, commercial and custom chassis and military fire department ''built'' trucks. View trucks built by all the major U.S. and worldwide manufacturers, such as American LaFrance, Darley, Fire Trucks Incorporated, FWD, General, Global, KME, Mack, Maxim, Peter Pirsch, Pierce, Seagrave, Ward LaFrance and many others. See structural pumpers, aerial ladders, water tankers, crash trucks, brush trucks, special units such as gas turbine powered pumps, traced vehicles, and remote controlled robots. And who can resist exciting action photographs of Navy fire apparatus performing at fires!

The vehicles and other firefighting equipment of the Milwaukee Fire Department, like the department itself, are unique among the fire service. It built more of its own apparatus than any other American city and few can match the scope and character of apparatus used to serve and protect life and property in Milwaukee. Through detailed research, firsthand narratives, and captivating photos, the author walks the reader through the fascinating history of the incredible machines that served Cream City from the mid-nineteenth century to modern times. This volume traces the ever-changing face of Milwaukee's fire-fighting and life-saving equipment in parallel with the city's own history and growth. The fire department workshop's reputation for ingenuity is shown through its adaptations to disastrous fires that brought about changes in laws, economic growth and decline, the establishment of Milwaukee's ethnic neighborhoods, the difficult transition from horses to motorization, the wartime and post-war experience, the corporate world of apparatus manufacturers, and Milwaukee's fireboat fleet.

Known in the fire apparatus industry for innovation and high quality craftsmanship, Saulsbury Fire and Rescue Apparatus is a true American success story. Founded in 1956 as a small, local builder of apparatus, the family owned business began to grow during the 1960s and 1970s as more and more area departments began ordering their new apparatus from the company because of their superior craftsmanship and attention to the customer's requirements. Over its 47+ year history, the company built numerous unusual and interesting trucks, most of which are included in this book. High quality photos and informative captions illustrate Saulsbury's unique and interesting designs.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the fire apparatus industry saw unprecedented revolution, innovation, and parity. The long admired conventional models gave way to the contemporary archetypes that are the genesis of today’s fire trucks. Just as disco and the lava lamp became all the societal rage, the fire service saw its own fads and trends. A new generation of aggressive fire apparatus manufacturers led by Pierce and Emergency-One began to overtake their forefathers and the pool of builders producing high quality apparatus in numbers became considerably more populated. This volume highlights the fire trucks of the Swinging Sixties and the Groovy Seventies!

Technology is constantly changing, but the basic principles stay the same. This publication provides a detailed look into the operation of fire apparatus and equipment. The text covers the various engine systems, chassis and component parts, pump operations, aerial operations and driving procedures. A study guide is also available.