Hose Truck and Chemical Truck

Hose Truck and Chemical Truck (c. early 1900s)

The department’s hose truck and chemical truck represent its earliest motorized fire apparatus and mark an important transitional period in the company’s history. While the exact manufacturers and years of service are unknown due to the loss of records from the 1922 fire, historical evidence confirms their significance as the first motorized apparatus operated by the department, paving the way for the acquisition of the 1923 American LaFrance motorized pumper.

A photograph of the chemical truck exists from a period prior to 1922, with the handwritten notation “1907” on the back of the image, attributed to former Chief George Henderson. While this date cannot be conclusively verified, it strongly suggests that the chemical truck was in service in the early 20th century, during a time when departments were beginning to transition from horse-drawn equipment to gasoline-powered vehicles.

These units likely supported early fire suppression efforts through hose transport and chemical firefighting methods, providing faster response times and increased operational capability compared to horse-drawn apparatus. Their introduction represented a critical step in the modernization of the department and demonstrated a willingness to adopt emerging firefighting technologies.

Although little technical information has survived, the hose truck and chemical truck remain an important part of the department’s apparatus history. Together, they laid the groundwork for fully motorized fire suppression and directly paved the way for the 1923 American LaFrance pumper, which would become the department’s first true motorized pumping engine. The photo with multiple pieces of apparatus shows the Chemical Truck, Hose Truck, Steamer, and 1923 American LaFrance.

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