This engine served as the Company 1 engine and was purchased new in 1952. It was placed in service November 23, 1952, replacing the 1923 American LaFrance, and served Company 1 until Company 3 received the Grumman engine in 1985, and their 1969 Van Pelt became Engine No. 1.

LATEST EQUIPMENT ASSURES CITY OF BEST PROTECTION

Ferndale Enterprise, November 28, 1952

$14,000 worth of concentrated fire protection was added to Ferndale’s fire fighting equipment Sunday when delivery of the new Van Pelt pumper was made to the city. Tests of every type were made by the local fire department and the big pumping engine was given enthusiastic approval by volunteer firemen and city officials. Members of Engine Co. 1, who will operate the equipment, spent most of Sunday learning details of operation and came up with the opinion that “it is simplicity and speed to the most modern degree.”

Built on an International L-190 truck chassis, its superstructure and equipment was constructed to Ferndale specifications by the Van Pelt Co. of Oakdale. Carrying 400 gallons of water, the truck reached a road speed of 58 miles per hour in over-drive. Its rated capacity for its Hale pump is 750 gallons per minute but in tests Sunday it delivered around 900 gallons per minute through a combination of three 2½ inch lines and one 1½ line.

Two booster hose reels produce either a solid stream of water or for at a pressure of 600 pounds. There are also two smaller tanks, one with chemical foam for fighting oil flames and the other with wet water for penetration, each quickly proportioned with water from the tank, and available from the booster lines.

The truck can carry 1500 feet of 2½ inch hose and also has a compartment for “live” 1½ inch hose ready for immediate delivery of water. A large suction hose is connected to the pump by a swivel joint and is ready fro use as quickly as its free end can be placed in a sump or to a hydrant. The suction hose, 20 feet long, was used Sunday in the Francis Creek sump at Fireman’s Park to attain the tremendous 900 gallons per minute delivery.

Control valves are located on the left side of the truck just to the rear of the driver and their operation was said by local firemen to be the simplest and most foolproof ever seen here. Designed for the speediest possible approach to a fire, the truck is capable of efficient operation on any type fire from a threatening minor blaze to a conflagration. Its two high pressure hoses can each deliver a flame and heat smothering fog as a protection for firemen entering a flaming building or for use as a flame smothering agency in confined areas where straight water might be as damaging as flames.

Use of the truck is limited to the Ferndale City limits, or, on authorization by city officials, to disaster calls from other communities of the county.