Early Fire Truck Ornament

The Fire Truck is about 4� inches long. It is Fire Truck that only seats two Firefighters on the seat in front. It is red with gold trim, gray hoses stowed on each side and two rolls of white hoses on the back. There are two wire racks on the back of the truck that hold a ladder over the rear of the truck. Select this link to view our People and Profession Tree Ornaments.

Early pumpers.
Early pumpers used cisterns as a source of water. Water was later put into wooden pipes under the streets and a "fire plug" was pulled out of the top of the pipe when a suction hose was to be inserted. Later systems incorporated pressurized fire hydrants, where the pressure was increased when a fire alarm was sounded. This was found to be harmful to the system, and unreliable. Today's valved hydrant systems are kept under pressure at all times, although additional pressure may be added when needed. Pressurized hydrants eliminate much of the work in obtaining water for pumping through the engine and into the attack hoses. Many rural fire engines still rely upon cisterns or other sources for drafting water into the pumps. Select this link to view our Firefighter Ornaments.

Early Aerials.
Since the late 19th century, means of reaching tall structures have been devised. At first, manually extendable ladders were used. As these grew in length and weight they were put onto two large wheels. When carried by fire engines these ladders had the wheels suspended behind the rear of the vehicle, making them a distinctive sight. Select this link to view our Dalmatian Rescue Puppy.
Before long, the turntable ladder, which was even longer, mechanically extendable and installed directly onto a fire truck, made its appearance. Since the late 1930s, the longest turntable ladders have reached a height of 150 feet. Select this link to view our Gifts for Policemen.
After the Second World War turntable ladders were supplemented by the aerial work platform, sometimes called 'cherry picker'. Which was a platform or bucket attached onto a mechanically bending arm or "snorkel", that was installed onto a fire truck. While these could not reach the height of similar turntable ladders, the platforms could extend into previously unreachable "dead corners" of a burning building. Select this link to view our Santa with Baby Jesus Ornament.