The fire engine from the prestigious — yet controversial, and now defunct — American LaFrance manufacturer was brought to Corner Brook by Bowater before the city even existed. The owners of the pulp and paper mill purchased the truck new, and had it shipped into port via one of its freighters to serve the company town. It replaced the horse and wagon firefighting unit of those days.
After amalgamation of the fire departments in 1953, it was utilized for the greater jurisdiction of what would eventually be Corner Brook.
Out of service since the early-to-mid-1970s, it was then an attraction in motorcades and ceremonial events. Eventually, its time passed on that too. No longer trustworthy mechanically, it’s been well over a decade since it last saw duty of any kind.
The bright red paint is now faded and corroded. It’s custom chrome is damaged and worn. Lights are broken. The seat is torn. As bad as its appearance is, the mechanical side is worse. So much more than the brakes, that caused the greatest concern towards the end of its life, have since deteriorated.
At first glimpse, it’s an eyesore of sorts, resembling the wreckages many councils have ordered towed away from yards and back-country roads in recent years. A closer inspection reveals why many people marvel at the dilapidated vehicle left rusting outside the Corner Brook Fire Department. Tourists and local car collectors alike have come asking of its history as well as its future.
Luckily, its prestige and value is more recognized by some than its care.
There was always a notion to eventually restore it to the condition it was when it arrived by freighter 70 years ago. That restoration was more of a thought than a plan.
Until now.
The City of Corner Brook, in partnership with the fire department and the College of the North Atlantic, has set the wheels in motion to bring it back to its pristine state. The project will cost $40,000, of which the city has dedicated half from this budget and the remainder next. The labour costs will go to students and teachers at the college in exchange for the educational value of the project.
Mayor Charles Pender said the project showcases community pride and celebrates its growth over the past 60 years.
“It’s a wonderful piece of equipment,” he said. “It’s the history of Corner Brook.”
A local committee has been formed which includes active and retired firefighters, the fire chief, a member of council, representatives of the College of the North Atlantic, and an automotive expert. The committee is trying to gather as much information on the history of the vehicle as possible.
“We hope it will re-instill some visible pride in our fire department and the city as well,” Pender said.
The city was hoping to have the truck restored for next year’s 60th anniversary celebrations, but the mayor said that deadline appears unrealistic. Corner Brook Day 2017 is now the goal.
The plan is to have a place in the new public works depot to store the truck.
**********
Retired firefighter recalls days aboard old pumper
Bob Baxter remembers fighting fires in Corner Brook during a different time.
Flying down the rugged terrain that were city streets aboard the 1948 American LaFrance pumper truck, occupational health and safety wasn’t near the consideration it is today.
One might laugh at the cartoon comedy of firefighters hanging off the back of a pumper with a strap in one hand and trying to get their protective coats on over their shoulders with the other. Typically, the amusement comes when the truck hits a bump and the firefighters are propelled off their feet, clinging on for their lives.
It’s not so farfetched, according to the retired Corner Brook firefighter. That’s pretty much how it was aboard the 1948 pumper that is being restored.
“Oh, there are stories,” Baxter said. “It was different times then.”
The streets weren’t the greatest, he says, and the heavy truck certainly wasn’t blessed with shocks.
“There was no give,” the 35-year veteran said. “The whole thing bounced. You went up in the air and came down on the tailgate. Well, you would have to look and make sure you would come down on the tailgate.”
The truck was in service for many years before Baxter came onto the scene in 1970, but he recalls the then-aging truck fondly. The truck’s pumping ability was an asset for that time, he said, and the deck gun was particularly helpful in large fires — of which the truck saw its share, including fires at the Majestic Theatre, the Blomidon Golf and Country Club, Corner Brook Garage and Stan Dawe. It is believed the truck had one last call to action for the 1975 Broadway Public School fire.
It wore down mechanically, but also became obsolete due to better trucks with more modern equipment. The city and the department kept it active for parades and special occasions, despite the old manual five-speed transmission and hydraulic brakes, which made it difficult to drive for many.
Many firefighters enjoyed having their families on the truck during parades, Baxter says. However, the truck soon became more trouble for that than its perceived worth. He said the rust from the steel tank would fall off and clog the filters.
“Usually around the Holiday Inn on the parade route she would start acting up,” he said.
Former firefighter Kevin Bishop would work on the truck every now and again, according to Baxter, and he would have water pumping out of it again in the station parking lot. Unfortunately, for the better part of the last couple of decades nature’s elements have taken its toll.
Baxter is happy to hear an actual restoration effort is underway. He said the truck was once almost sold under the Mayor Ray Pollett regime, but a number of firefighters lobbied to keep it.
“She’s still a solid truck,” he said. “They can bring that back, no problem at all.”
The fire engine from the prestigious — yet controversial, and now defunct — American LaFrance manufacturer was brought to Corner Brook by Bowater before the city even existed. The owners of the pulp and paper mill purchased the truck new, and had it shipped into port via one of its freighters to serve the company town. It replaced the horse and wagon firefighting unit of those days.
After amalgamation of the fire departments in 1953, it was utilized for the greater jurisdiction of what would eventually be Corner Brook.
Out of service since the early-to-mid-1970s, it was then an attraction in motorcades and ceremonial events. Eventually, its time passed on that too. No longer trustworthy mechanically, it’s been well over a decade since it last saw duty of any kind.
The bright red paint is now faded and corroded. It’s custom chrome is damaged and worn. Lights are broken. The seat is torn. As bad as its appearance is, the mechanical side is worse. So much more than the brakes, that caused the greatest concern towards the end of its life, have since deteriorated.
At first glimpse, it’s an eyesore of sorts, resembling the wreckages many councils have ordered towed away from yards and back-country roads in recent years. A closer inspection reveals why many people marvel at the dilapidated vehicle left rusting outside the Corner Brook Fire Department. Tourists and local car collectors alike have come asking of its history as well as its future.
Luckily, its prestige and value is more recognized by some than its care.
There was always a notion to eventually restore it to the condition it was when it arrived by freighter 70 years ago. That restoration was more of a thought than a plan.
Until now.
The City of Corner Brook, in partnership with the fire department and the College of the North Atlantic, has set the wheels in motion to bring it back to its pristine state. The project will cost $40,000, of which the city has dedicated half from this budget and the remainder next. The labour costs will go to students and teachers at the college in exchange for the educational value of the project.
Mayor Charles Pender said the project showcases community pride and celebrates its growth over the past 60 years.
“It’s a wonderful piece of equipment,” he said. “It’s the history of Corner Brook.”
A local committee has been formed which includes active and retired firefighters, the fire chief, a member of council, representatives of the College of the North Atlantic, and an automotive expert. The committee is trying to gather as much information on the history of the vehicle as possible.
“We hope it will re-instill some visible pride in our fire department and the city as well,” Pender said.
The city was hoping to have the truck restored for next year’s 60th anniversary celebrations, but the mayor said that deadline appears unrealistic. Corner Brook Day 2017 is now the goal.
The plan is to have a place in the new public works depot to store the truck.
**********
Retired firefighter recalls days aboard old pumper
Bob Baxter remembers fighting fires in Corner Brook during a different time.
Flying down the rugged terrain that were city streets aboard the 1948 American LaFrance pumper truck, occupational health and safety wasn’t near the consideration it is today.
One might laugh at the cartoon comedy of firefighters hanging off the back of a pumper with a strap in one hand and trying to get their protective coats on over their shoulders with the other. Typically, the amusement comes when the truck hits a bump and the firefighters are propelled off their feet, clinging on for their lives.
It’s not so farfetched, according to the retired Corner Brook firefighter. That’s pretty much how it was aboard the 1948 pumper that is being restored.
“Oh, there are stories,” Baxter said. “It was different times then.”
The streets weren’t the greatest, he says, and the heavy truck certainly wasn’t blessed with shocks.
“There was no give,” the 35-year veteran said. “The whole thing bounced. You went up in the air and came down on the tailgate. Well, you would have to look and make sure you would come down on the tailgate.”
The truck was in service for many years before Baxter came onto the scene in 1970, but he recalls the then-aging truck fondly. The truck’s pumping ability was an asset for that time, he said, and the deck gun was particularly helpful in large fires — of which the truck saw its share, including fires at the Majestic Theatre, the Blomidon Golf and Country Club, Corner Brook Garage and Stan Dawe. It is believed the truck had one last call to action for the 1975 Broadway Public School fire.
It wore down mechanically, but also became obsolete due to better trucks with more modern equipment. The city and the department kept it active for parades and special occasions, despite the old manual five-speed transmission and hydraulic brakes, which made it difficult to drive for many.
Many firefighters enjoyed having their families on the truck during parades, Baxter says. However, the truck soon became more trouble for that than its perceived worth. He said the rust from the steel tank would fall off and clog the filters.
“Usually around the Holiday Inn on the parade route she would start acting up,” he said.
Former firefighter Kevin Bishop would work on the truck every now and again, according to Baxter, and he would have water pumping out of it again in the station parking lot. Unfortunately, for the better part of the last couple of decades nature’s elements have taken its toll.
Baxter is happy to hear an actual restoration effort is underway. He said the truck was once almost sold under the Mayor Ray Pollett regime, but a number of firefighters lobbied to keep it.
“She’s still a solid truck,” he said. “They can bring that back, no problem at all.”
