Engine 4 (1940s)

Engine 4 – Combination Engine/Ladder (c. 1939 American LaFrance)

Engine 4 was a combination engine and ladder truck, believed to be a 1939 American LaFrance, that served the department during the mid-20th century. The apparatus represented a versatile design of the era, combining fire suppression and ladder operations into a single unit to meet the needs of a growing community.

The truck was powered by a 12-cylinder engine, providing the power necessary to move the heavy apparatus and support its operational demands. It carried a 25-foot ground ladder and a 50-foot Bangor ladder with poles, giving firefighters the ability to perform elevated access and rescue operations prior to the widespread use of aerial apparatus.

According to department historians, training on Engine 4 was physically demanding. Members were required to climb the full 50-foot Bangor ladder and descend during training exercises, underscoring both the expectations placed on firefighters of the era and the challenging nature of ladder operations before modern safety equipment.

Engine 4 remained in service until October of 1969, when it was retired as apparatus technology continued to evolve. Following its retirement, the unit was sold to Anne Arundel County, extending its service life beyond the department.

Although many technical details have been lost to time, Engine 4 remains an important part of the department’s apparatus history, reflecting the ingenuity, physical demands, and evolving capabilities of firefighting operations in the pre-aerial era.

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