The Reel Deal
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"The Reel Deal"
Reel equipped fire apparatus have always been a favorite of mine to photograph. While many serve largely rural areas that need to move "big water" on the fireground, there are also those designed to operate in response areas with narrow streets and densely packed homes. This recurring feature article will showcase reel equipped rigs that I have photographed throughout my travels across the Northeast (and beyond).
Martins Corner FC (Pennsylvania), Engine 34-1 (Retired) - 1984 Pierce Arrow 1750 gpm/500 gal.
Having served in active front line service for 29 years, this rig featured an 8kw Onan diesel generator and 1,200’ of 5” LDH supply line carried on a reel. It was equipped with 700’ of 1-1/2” attack line, 200’ of 2-1/2” pre-connected to a TFT Blitzfire® monitor and 46’ of ground ladders.
Millbury FD (Massachusetts), Hose 1 (Retired) - 1973 Mack/1997 Rural American 1000 gpm
Having originally served as a Class A pumper for 24 years, this rig was converted to a hose truck complete with a large diameter hose reel. It carried 3,000' of 4" supply line until being converted to 5" LDH which reduced its' capacity to 1,000 feet. With the arrival of a new engine, the department retired this piece thus ending the practice of having a reel equipped hose truck. The engine that was replaced with the new rig
was then assigned specifically as a hose truck featuring a hose load of strictly of 5" LDH supply line.MillburyMackRural AmericanVTecWater SupplyReel EquippedRetired
From Millbury FD
Engine 33-12 (Retired) - 1979 Seagrave PB/2003 Wildefire 1500 gpm/300 gal.
Originally starting life as a canopy cab pumper, this rig was refurbished in 2003 with a four door cab enclosure and the addition of a hydraulic hose reel carrying 2,000' of 5" LDH supply line. Outfitted with an on-board generator, it is equipped with a portable pump and two 150' crosslays (1-3/4" and 2-1/2"). This rig is reported to have pumped for twelve hours straight at a barn fire feeding a 3,000 foot 5" LDH supply line!
HillsdaleSeagraveWildefireWater SupplyReel Equipped
From Hillsdale
Engine Tank 149 - 1990 Mack R/Ranger 1500 gpm/850 gal.
Serving the Willington Hill FD in Connecticut, this workhorse features three reels with 1-3/4" (200') and 2-1/2" attack lines (150' and 200') as well as 2,325' of 5" LDH supply line on a rear mounted reel. It is equipped with two 200' 1-3/4" crosslays and a portable hydrant manifold (5" intake to multiple 1-3/4" discharges).
Willington HillMackRangerWater SupplyReel Equipped
From Willington Hill
Locust Valley FD (Long Island, New York), Engine 543 (Retired) - 1991 Simon-Duplex/RD Murray 1750 gpm/350 gal.
Featuring hydraulic controls, this rig was outfitted with dual reels carrying 1,000' of 3" supply line with Storz couplings (later changed to smaller loads of 5" LDH) as well as attack lines above the pump panel. This rig was designed for Locust Valley's response area which encompasses many large homes/estates with narrow driveways in the Mill Neck and Old Brookville communities. It also featured 4" LDH plumbing, thru-the-body ladder/hard suction storage and rear step SCBA storage for eight spare cylinders.
Retired in 2014, it now serves the Glen Rose FD in Arkansas.
North Hoosick FD (New York), Engine Tanker 23-5 - 2011 International Workstar/Toyne 1250 gpm/1000 gal.
One of two rigs operated by North Hoosick featuring LDH reels, it was designed to maximize water supply capabilities. It is outfitted with two 2" pre-connects, 2,000' of 5" LDH supply line (reel has capacity for 3,000 feet) and a portable pump. According to what North Hoosick was told by the manufacturer, this was the first rig of its' type ever built by Toyne (a surprising fact considering many of their customers are
rural FD's that need to move "big water" on the fireground).North HoosickInternationalToyneWater SupplyReel Equipped
From North Hoosick
Woodbury FD (Connecticut), Engine 1 - 1983 Mack/2011 Gowans Knight 2000 gpm/100 gal.
Refurbished in 2011, this rig carries a total of 3,000' of 5" LDH supply line on two reels featuring 1,500' capacity each.
Liberty FC, New Holland (Pennsylvania), Hose 3-9 (Retired) - 1989 Mack CF-700/Pierce 1750 gpm/500 gal.
Retired following the merger of the Liberty and Blue Ball Fire Companies into the newly organized Garden Spot Fire Rescue, the tradition of “hose wagons” in the Lancaster County fire service came to an end. Outfitted with two reels carrying 2,200’ of 5” LDH supply line, this rig was also equipped with three pre-connects (150’ and 250’ 1-3/4”, 250’ 2-1/2”), 500’ of 1” brush/trash line, six hard suctions, two floating strainers and assorted wildfire hand tools.
Slackwood VFC (New Jersey) , Engine 21 - 1998 Simon-Duplex/3-D 2000 gpm/750 gal.
While resembling a rescue pumper with its’ large body, this rig actually carries 1,200’ of 5” LDH supply line on a reel as well as an additional 500’ in the hosebed.
Washington Fire Co. No. 1 - Ocean Grove FD (New Jersey), Engine 54-3-75 - 1997 Spartan/Saulsbury 1500 gpm/500 gal.
Featuring rear mounted reels carrying 3" and 5" supply line, it is also outfitted with two 1-3/4" crosslays and a rear pre-connected 2-1/2" handline with stacked tip nozzle. Ocean Grove FD protects a waterfront community on the Jersey Shore filled with closely spaced wood frame bungalows and tight streets, accordingly they operate apparatus specifically designed for their limited access.