The brand new 1930 Maxim 600 GPM pumper on the left was delivered January 6, 1930. It remained in service as Engine 5 for nearly 23 years. At right is the "Patrol Wagon," built by the volunteers on a 1921 Packard "Twin-6" chassis. A volunteer driver transported members to calls after the paid driver had departed with Engine 5. It was still on the department inventory of apparatus in 1936. (Photo courtesy of Gil Spencer)
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1930 photo shows the brand new 1930 Maxim 600 GPM pumper clearly marked "MOUNT CARMEL" on tank beneath front seats. (Photo courtesy of Gilbert Spencer)
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1930 - "Fire Patrol" Wagon, built by Co. 5 members on a 1921 Packard Twin-6. (Photo courtesy of Gilbert Spencer)
Co. 5's Fire Patrol Wagon
This photo, courtesy of Gilbert Spencer, is of a truly unique piece. Built on a 1921 Packard Twin-6 chassis, this "Fire Patrol" wagon carried an ample supply of soda acid extinguishers and had plenty of room for personnel in the back.
Not everyone had an automobile in the early 1930's - very few people did. And alerting volunteers by radio was still decades off. Whenever Engine 5 was dispatched to a call, the paid driver first pulled the roof siren to alert the volunteers before responding to the fire on Engine 5. As the volunteers arrived at the fire station they boarded the patrol wagon, which would then transport them to the fire.
The patrol wagon was driven only by a Fire Commission approved volunteer who lived or worked near enough the fire station to get there quickly. The driver waited on the ramp a maximum of five minutes for volunteers to arrive. Then it was off to the fire.
According to old department records this piece was still in service as of 1936. What happened to the patrol wagon after that is not known.
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This photo of Engine 5 was taken in 1939 at old Station 3 on Putnam Avenue. The rider is Al Moeller.
