Over the 100-plus years that motorized fire apparatus have been in service in the United States, there have been dozens and dozens of manufacturers bending, welding and assembling rigs for fire departments all over the country. Some of the names are legendary in the fire service and some, not so much.
All of the apparatus, yesterday and today, have personalities and unique features. With the help of The Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA), Firehouse looks at some of the historic apparatus from now-defunct apparatus-makers.
SPAAMFAA is an educational organization of people dedicated to the preservation, restoration and operation of antique fire apparatus. The SPAAMFAA Library and Archives contains a plethora of information about American fire apparatus, including literature, drawings, technical manuals and photographs. All of the images in this gallery are found in SPAAMFAA's recent book: "On the Ramp - Fire Apparatus Photos from the SPAAMFAA Archive."