Antique Fire Truck info needed.

[cicopo]

Hopefully some of the firefighters that use this forum have paid a visit to the fire department in Cozumel to swap shirts or other related collectibles and can help me. During Carnaval I photographed a 1951 American LaFrance fire truck on Melgar and I recently learned that the history buffs that track these vehicles knew it went to Mexico years ago but they thought it had been scrapped due to a lack of parts. I've let them know it now is alive & well but now I'm trying to learn what it's duties are. Does anyone know if it's used at the airport? in town? or is it just for parades etc? Or maybe it lives on the mainland & they brought it over for Carnaval? Thanks, Larry.

 

[Firefyter]

I believe it's used in town. Every time I've been by the station on Juarez it's been parked inside, and it looked like they were using it as a front line engine. I could be wrong, but that was my impression.

 

[driftwood]

Hi Larry,

We will be there in August and I will try to drop by and ask.

 

[cicopo]

Thanks to both of you. It sounds like this particular truck is still on the job after all these years. From the look of things it first worked in Denver, and then was sold to The Platte River Power Company in Fort Collins Colorado. From there all they know is this
" Sent to Mexico by do gooders and is now junk, due to lack of parts. It's a 1951"
but I have updated that info and will try to get the full story for them. I'm curious as to whether they kept the paint scheme as a tribute to the donor or simply due to the cost of changing it.

 

[Firerescueguy]

I too have seen it at the main station.... On a side note do they trade shirts at the Cozumel Fire Station?

 

[ggunn]

Thanks to both of you. It sounds like this particular truck is still on the job after all these years. From the look of things it first worked in Denver, and then was sold to The Platte River Power Company in Fort Collins Colorado. From there all they know is this
" Sent to Mexico by do gooders and is now junk, due to lack of parts. It's a 1951"
but I have updated that info and will try to get the full story for them. I'm curious as to whether they kept the paint scheme as a tribute to the donor or simply due to the cost of changing it.

Are you sure that it's the same engine? I seem to remember seeing a much older style red one parked somewhere on the island. That yellow one looks newer than a '51 to me, but then I'm no expert on fire engines.

 

[cicopo]

Nor am I. I had posted the photo on one of my photography forums stating that I had no idea as to make or year of production. I was directed here.
Platte River Power Authority Foam 1 (Old) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
and I have since added my photo to the American LaFrance site where I hope to add the story of what it does today.

 

[ggunn]

Nor am I. I had posted the photo on one of my photography forums stating that I had no idea as to make or year of production. I was directed here.
Platte River Power Authority Foam 1 (Old) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
and I have since added my photo to the American LaFrance site where I hope to add the story of what it does today.

Here's a few 1951 fire engines, and they look a lot more like the one I am remembering:

Premium Photo - Firefighters/1951 Mack Fire Engine

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2901241480080243953PnjWPK

1951 Studebaker Fire Truck. 841 UXB on Flickr - Photo Sharing!