Of all the companies that built motor fire apparatus in America in the 20th century, none has acquired the cult-like devotion accorded the unique products of the Ahrens-Fox Fire Engine Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. With its front-mounted piston pump surmounted by a gleaming spherical air chamber, the Ahrens-Fox piston pumper projects irresistible aesthetic and mechanical appeal. Fire apparatus aficionados and collectors have all but elevated the truly distinctive Ahrens-Fox piston pumper to a firefighting deity. Noted fire apparatus historian and author Walt McCall has selected the best of the best for this photographic tribute to a legendary nameplate—including the milestone Continental, mighty six-piston Models PS, BT and what is arguably the most beautiful fire engine ever made in America, the classic, semi-streamlined Model HT. A supplemental gallery of 30 color photos showcases some of the finest surviving Ahrens-Foxes.

Follow the history of Crown Firecoach from its beginnings in 1951 until the company ceased building fire trucks in 1983. One of the pioneers of cab forward rigs, Crown's fire apparatus had a very distinctive appearance that collectors and restorers appreciate today. Large format photographs show a representative cross section of the full line of Crown, including pumpers, rear mount and tractor drawn aerials, snorkels, brush rigs and tractor transports. While Crown rigs were sold primarily in Southern California, with LA city being the company's largest customer, Fire Enthusiasts everywhere will want to own this important piece of fire apparatus history.

The first book published exclusively on fire trucks produced by the Pirsch Company of Kenosha, WI. Best known for the invention of the world's first all-powered aerial ladder, the Pirsch Company also produced a variety of fire trucks. From hand-drawn ladder wagons in the 1800s to modern day diesel powered pumpers and aerial ladders. The factory produced thousands of trucks for fire departments, military and private fire brigades all over the world. See some of Pirsch's unique apparatus including: a pumper built to travel on railroad tracks; and a huge smoke ejector built on a custom built chassis. Factory photos show the different types of fire equipment and trucks produced on both custom and commercial chassis.

Tracing its roots to 1796, the Bridgeport Fire Department protects Connecticut's largest city. Bridgeport's first step toward independence occured when the Corporation of Newfield was formed in 1797 for the express purpose of forming a fire company. Through the years, the firefighters have continued to play a significant role in Bridgeport's history. Bridgeport's fire department has grown, changed, and shared in its city's triumphs, and tragedies. The purchase of the steam-powered D.H. Sterling fire engine triggered an oftentimes bitter contest between adherents of the traditional muscle-powered fire engine and new mechanical machines. The contest resulted in the formation of the present career fire department in 1872. Bridgeport Firefighters traces the innovations, incidents, and personalities through the hand-drawn, horse-drawn, and motor-driven eras up to the twentieth century.

Organized fire protection in Frederick County, Maryland, existed before the adoption of the Constitution. Follow the colorful history of the fire companies from the first fire engine in 1764 to the fire company militia units that were summoned to Harper's Ferry and fire halls used during the Civil War. Learn how the fire companies in Frederick County had statewide influence by organizing the Maryland State Firemen's Association in 1893. Read of the tradition of fire engines "throwing water over the town clock"--sometimes to test performance, other times just for bragging rights. Local author and volunteer firefighter Chip Jewell provides a snapshot of how each fire company was organized from the early 1800s to the most recent companies in the 1970s.

The book is 6"X9" 300 page soft cover trade paperback. Series of non-fiction historical short stories about the Harrisburg , PA fire department and the author's experiences.