| This 1965 Crown Firecoach pumper was purchased by the City of Visalia. She carried Crown Coach serial number F1423. As built, she was powered by a Hall-Scott 1091 gasoline motor and equipped with a Waterous 1,250gpm pump and 500 gallon water tank. Located in California's central valley, Visalia has always been a thriving agricultural community. It becomes apparent by looking at this pumper the City had purchased that their Fire Department was well funded. Aluminum wheels where not an everyday add-on item and were certainly not inexpensive. Crown was one of the manufacturers that pioneered the hydraulic ladder rack and at the time, it was another useful but pricey add-on. |
| Created November 28, 2008 |
| This 1965 photo shows that the hydraulic ladder rack is not a new technology today. Crown, along with Seagrave, Pirsch, and Mack pioneered this technology in the 1960s. It is one more item that has been around for a very long time that is now commonplace on many departments throughout the country. |