Crown Firecoach Enthusiasts
Club History

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The CROWN FIRECOACH ENTHUSIASTS (CFE) is an association of vintage fire apparatus owners and buffs, with a special interest in the Crown Firecoach. Although our emphasis is on Crowns, many of our members own or are interested in other makes of fire apparatus as well.

Crown fire apparatus were produced from 1951 to 1983 by the Crown Coach Corporation of Los Angeles, CA, also well known for building school busses. During the 1960s-70s, Crowns dominated the apparatus rosters of many west coast fire departments, including the Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, and Orange County Fire Departments. The last Crown Firecoach was completed in 1985, and the Crown Coach Corporation ceased all operations in March, 1991.

CFE was formed in 1989 by a handful of Crown buffs to preserve the history of the Crown Firecoach and to enjoy fellowship with comrades in fire buffing. We now have more than 300 members with more than 80 Crown Firecoaches as well as many other makes of apparatus owned by our members.

On April 19, 1991 CFE became the Southern California Chapter of SPAAMFAA (Society for the Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America) which is an international organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and operation of antique fire fighting apparatus. Founded in New York in 1958, SPAAMFAA has grown to 56 chapters nationwide and in Canada, with a membership in excess of 3,800 Worldwide.

We have a number of meets each year and participate in fire musters, parades and pump-ins. Our meets are held at different locations where we share the latest information, photos, memorabilia and display members' apparatus. Our fellowship includes informal discussions, special programs and tours. See the Events Calendar page for a list of upcoming events.

CFE and its members participate in many charitable events each year, including delivery of toys to needy children during the Christmas holidays and the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation Los Angeles area Burn Run , as well as a number of car and truck shows and civic and holiday parades.  In addition, every year at our Spring Pump-In, we present a cash scholarship known as the Brian Dierkens Memorial Award at our annual Spring Pump-In to a young person with an interest in fire apparatus or the fire service. Anyone may submit a nominee for this award.

Please contact us for more information.