Silver Creek FD
Read More
The foundation for fire protection within the Village of Silver Creek was organized in the 1800s by a local industry Huntley Manufacturing (known present day as S. Howes) within their industrial plant. Recognizing the village's need for fire protection, the plant went on to install hydrants and serve the village in 1886. About a year later, Eureka Hook and Ladder as well as a steamer company were formed within the S. Howes Company operating a horse drawn ladder truck. In March of 1886, Huntley Hose Co. 1 organized a village based fire company while later Silver Creek Hose Co. 1 organized another company which descended from the Steamer Co. which ran a hand drawn hose cart similar to that used by the Huntley plant brigade. Finally, in 1907 the Silver Creek Hook and Ladder Co. 1 was formed running with a horse drawn ladder truck until 1939 when a motorized quadruple combination rig (one of only four in the US at that time) was placed into service. Silver Creek FD also operated Station 2 with Hanover Hose organized in 1959 to provide coverage for Hanover Center. The Silver Creek Emergency Squad was developed later on and was started by the local undertaker. Present day, the Silver Creek FD operates with about 40 volunteer members averaging 550 alarms per year.
The fleet of the Silver Creek FD and Silver Creek Emergency Squad includes (left to right) Ambulance 172 (2009 Ford/Road Rescue), Tower 171 (1998 Simon-Duplex/LTI 102'/2000/150), Engine 172 - Retired (1999 Freightliner/RD Murray 1500/1000 - now serving Haworth, Oklahoma), Aerial 171 - Retired (1954 Mack L85/Maxim 85', privately owned), Engine 171 (1995 Pierce 1500/1000), Engine 174 (1994 Sutphen 1500/500), Rescue 171 (1993 International/EVI) and Ambulance 171 (2019 Ford/Road Rescue).
"Generations"
This unyque photo opportunity showcases Silver Creek's aerial devices over a period of more than 65 years - Aerial 171 (Retired) is a 1954 Mack L85/Maxim 85' mid-mount aerial that originally served the College Park Vol. Fire Department in Maryland from 1954-1971 after which it then served the Silver Creek FD from 1971-1987. When it was retired, the department did not operate another aerial device until 2020 when Tower 171, a 1998 Simon-Duplex 102'/2000/150 rear mount ladder tower was placed into service. Present day, Aerial 171 is owned and maintained by a private collector.
Silver CreekMackAntiqueLadderSimonDuplexLTILadder TowerQuint
Tower 171 - 1998 Simon-Duplex/LTI 102'/2000 gpm/150 gal.
Having formerly served the Woodlawn Fire Co. in Erie County, this rig entered service in 2020 and retains its' original paint scheme. It serves as the department's first aerial device since the retirement of their former 1954 Mack mid-mount 85' aerial in 1987.
Aerial 171 (Retired) - 1954 Mack L85/Maxim 85'
Originally serving the College Park Vol. Fire Department in Prince George's County, Maryland as Truck 12 from 1954-1971, it then served Silver Creek as Aerial 171 from 1971-1987. Once it was retired, the department did not operate an aerial device again until 2020 when Tower 171 shown above was placed into service.
Silver CreekMackAerialAntiqueRetiredPrivately OwnedCollege Park