Hudson Falls
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Following the disbanding of the Union Hose Co. (one of three original fire companies serving the Village of Sandy Hill) in 1924, Carpenter Hose Co# 3 was organized to protect the area by then known as Hudson Falls. Present day, the Hudson Falls Vol. Fire Department operates from a single station providing Fire and Rescue protection to the Village of Hudson Falls. The department operated a blend of apparatus serving their second career - as the chief put it “We’re the kings of used apparatus”. While their rigs may have been used, they demonstrated tremendous pride in their appearance which were totally personalized to reflect
“The Tigers” of Hudson Falls.
362 Engine - 1990 Pierce Arrow 1750 gpm/1000 gal.
Originally slated for the Goodyear FD, this rig became a demonstrator and was picked up after the pump on the department’s 1960’s era Mack failed. According to original drawings found in shop manuals, this rig was to have been constructed quite differently for Goodyear’s specifications than it appears here. Emblazoned with the slogan “A Hoseline Ahead of the Rest”, this rig was relegated to second due status upon the arrival of a new Pierce Impel PUC engine.
361 Engine (Retired) - 1980 Mack CF-600 1250 gpm/500 gal.
This rig is the only one among Hudson Falls fleet that was actually specified for the department. When originally delivered, the paid drivers would not respond with it as it had the word “Volunteer” on the doors. It has since been retired and is now in private ownership with a retired dept. member.
363 Truck (Retired) - 1982 Mack/Baker/2000 J.C. Moore
After the department’s old Mack ladder failed its’ annual inspection, this rig was purchased from the nearby Queensbury Central Fire Company that was receiving a new 95’ Aerialscope. Due to having the Great Escapes amusement park in their response area, Queensbury Central wanted to keep the 75’ rig close by for the availability of mutual aid for ride evacuations. In 2000, a rep from the refurbishing company (who was an avid fan of Mack tower ladders) came to look at the 1980 Mack pumper for an evaluation. He asked if he could take a look under the tower ladder - as soon as he slid under the truck, he rolled back out and said “Forget that one, you need to refurbish this one NOW!!”. Apparently, after 18 years of service, the cab had rusted to the point that it was ready to fall off the chassis! Needless to say, the truck was refurbed! This rig was replaced in 2015 with a 1993 Pierce Lance 100'/1500/250 rear mount platform quint that formerly served the Elsmere VFD in Albany County, New York. Fortunately, this classic Aerialscope was obtained by a department member through an auction so it will continue to be preserved.
Hudson FallsMackJC MooreTower LadderAerialscopeQueensburyRetired
Hudson Falls FD (Washington County, NY), 364 Rescue (Retired) - 1991 Mack MC/Saulsbury
Originally serving the Underhill VFC in Pennsylvania, this rig entered service in 2005 and was retired in 2016 after which it was sold to Argentina. It featured a two position command/communications center in the forward portion of the walk-in body equipped with multiple band radios, computers and cellular phones for managing any size incident. It also was outfitted with a four bottle 5,000 PSI cascade system with booster
pump and 12,000 watts of scene lights including 3,000 and 6,000 watt light towers. Equipped with Hurst® extrication tools, Rescue 3 also responded as a mutual aid Firefighter Assist & Search Team hence the rig's
motto "These Tigers Strike F.A.S.T.!"