The Borough of Lodi, New Jersey, is a quaint little town sitting just outside in Bergen County sitting just outside of New York City. The town has become primarily a residential suburb to the big city across the Hudson River since many of the textile mills and chemical plants of the past have relocated or shut down.

Unfortunately, years ago, these chemical plants brought death and destruction, with major fires ensuing after explosions occurred at their locations. These catastrophes pushed the fire department to the limit as it worked at the sites for many days.

• Video of Lodi (NJ)’s 2021 Rescue-Engine

The Saddle River almost bisects the town into two quadrants. The fire department built two firehouses, one on each side of the waterway.

The town also has three major roadways running through it: NJ State Routes 17 and 46, and Interstate 80, all known for heavy traffic and shipment of cargo with numerous vehicle accidents occurring on them.

The borough is protected by the Lodi Volunteer Fire Department, which operates four companies out of three firehouses. A large fire in 1905 burned down much of Main Street. The citizens united to create Hose Company No. 1. Shortly thereafter, Fire Engine Company No. 1 was formed on the opposite side of the river. The companies were incorporated in 1908.

In 1910, Rescue Truck Company No. 1 was formed, and Hose Company No. 2 was organized in 1948. Currently, the department runs two engines (a 2021 E-ONE Typhoon and a 2016 Spartan Gladiator), a rescue-engine (2021 E-ONE Typhoon), a ladder tower (2007 Pierce Velocity rear-mount platform), a support unit (1990 Ford/Marion), three rescue boats (RescueONE connector boats), and four chief’s vehicles.

Hose Company 1 currently runs the department’s rescue-engine, a 2021 E-ONE Typhoon with an extruded aluminum body and cab with high side compartments. The cab of the apparatus is 74 inches. The rig has a 2,000-gallon-per-minute (gpm) Waterous CSU pump with a 530-gallon United Plastic Fabricating Poly-Tank III. The rig is powered by a Cummins L9 450-hp diesel engine.

The engine is painted red with the cab having a portion of it painted metallic gray, encompassing the window area. Black reflective striping runs along the lower portion of the cab and then transverses the rescue body at mid-level. The rear of the apparatus is covered with DOT chevron safety stripes. The extended front bumper has a chrome intake and 2½-inch discharge and, two hose troughs for suction hose and a front bumper line. Also recessed into the bumper are two Grover air-horns.

The rig is equipped with a Whelen light package and has a brow light mounted above the windshield. Mounted on top of the apparatus to assist in periods of limited visibility is a Will-Burt Night Scan light tower with Whelen Pioneer LED light heads.

To assist with electrical needs and supply, the apparatus has a Harrison 10-kW MCR hydraulic generator on it. Also to assist with lighting, Fire-Tech pole LED Lights are mounted to the rear of the cab on the officer and chauffeur side. Also mounted on the upper deck of the apparatus is an electric cord reel holding 200 feet of 10/3 wire cable above the pu

The annual antique fire apparatus muster and flea market along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Pennsylvania Pump Primers, was held July 12.

The Pennsylvania Pump Primers Association is an organization of antique fire apparatus enthusiasts, many of whom own, drive, maintain, and improve their own fire trucks and related vehicles and equipment, according to the organization’s Web site.

The Pump Primers were founded in Harrisburg in 1975 and the following year became the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the national organization the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA). Every July the Pennsylvania Pump Primers holds its annual muster in Harrisburg along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Riverfront Park. Over the years the muster has drawn an average of 100 pieces of antique apparatus that participate in activities including static display and active drafting and pumping from the river. The muster also features an extensive flea market and fire related contests and games.

Photos by David Traiforos.

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