2010 Featured Rig Article
1963 Crown Firecoach Pumper
Westhaven, CA, Volunteer Fire Dept.

2008 Featured Rig Article | 1955 Crown Firecoach Pumper
Art Thompson, Colton, CA

The Unusual Journey of a 1955 Crown Pumper

By Mike Britt, Crown Firecoach Enthusiasts Webmaster
(This article originally appeared in the 2006-5 issue of the "Crown Firecoach Enthusiasts Newsletter" and was reprinted in the 4th quarter 2008 issue of the National SPAAMFAA magazine, "Enjine! Enjine!")

2007 Featured Rig Article
1975 Crown/telesqurt Goes from California to Florida

(Update: this rig is now owned by a business in Utah)

"From California to Florida" | Article By Mike Britt | Photos: Frank Hutton and Nationwide Auction

Over the years, several Crowns have gone from California to the midwest and east coast. Some were ordered new by departments in places like Illinois and New Jersey, others were purchased used from their original fire departments and given second and third careers in departments in states such as Connecticut, Virginia and Tennessee. Others were bought at auction by truck dealers and sent to places like Lousiana and Oaklahoma often to rust away and be scrapped in the end. The lucky ones have been purchased by collectors, driven and hauled back east where they have been proudly driven, pumped and displayed at SPAAMFAA events along the eastern seaboard.

New CFE member Frank Hutton of Tampa, Florida, is the latest SPAAMFAA member to transplant a California Crown from the beaches of the Pacific to the shores of the Atlantic coast. On December 8, 2006, he was the winning bidder at Nationwide Auction in Benecia, CA (near San Francisco) for Crown Firecoach is S/N F1730, a 1975 500/1500 pumper equipped with a 50 foot Telesqurt. It served 31 years with Carmel By The Sea Fire Department, located just south of Monterey, CA on the California coast, not far from the famous Pebble Beach.

Frank explains "Before I moved to Tampa in August, 2005, I spend 18 years in California ( Carmel Mountain area) and during my time driving around I've seen and really began to appreciate the Crown Firecoach."

"I always wanted to own, take care, and maintain one of these Crowns, maybe some day when I lived in California, but would've never thought once I moved out of state I would be able to buy one. When I saw the Telesquirt come available, I knew this might be a once in a lifetime opportunity."

The Crown arrived in Tampa on December 18, 2006, on-board a big rig with a step deck trailer. That load must've turned some heads as it headed cross-country!

After he had the Crown safely in Tampa, Frank enlisted the help of fellow members of the local SPAAMFAA Chapter, the Dalmingo Society (the name is a cross between a Dalmation and a Flamingo!). "We have a member who is sort of our in-house mechanic that handles our "light" maintenance work and a we also have a member who is a state certified EVT ( Emergency Vehicle Technician), says Frank. "Both of them went over the truck, just to make sure there were no issues with the pump, trans, engine, and the Squirt electrical/hydraulics. All checked out fine. The mechanics gave the Crown an overall grade of B.

A few days later, Frank and a fellow Dalmingo member who owns a 1972 Mack CF pumper, took the Crown out for a pump and squirt test. He says "Both rigs performed perfectly - what a sight to see the Squirt in great operating condition." 

Frank contacted CFE Historian Don Croucher who sent him some photos and information from the CFE archives about S/N F1730. "The pictures show the Crown when it was an open cab, then after it was closed.. Also he sent paperwork from the preliminary specs on the truck, through about the first 2 years of troubleshooting and repairs. Absolutely amazing stuff." Franks adds, "Don Croucher and everyone with CFE has been very helpful and I appreciate it very much."

Frank also contacted the Carmel F.D. who were equally friendly and helpful.

"I've heard that when a fire dept. disposes of a fire truck they are either very helpful or could care less. Well the Carmel FD has been awesome. I sent them a letter after I won the auction and asked them for manuals, copies of any service records, and if they could throw in a T-shirt or two for parades, static displays, etc. And I enclosed a check to the fire dept. and told them to put the money towards a Christmas dinner for the firefighters, or donate it to their favorite charity."
 
A few days later, Frank received a package from Carmel. "It contained blueprints and specs of the original layout of the Crown, and also a pump and air-system blueprints, says Frank. Also enclosed were copies of some service records, which included when the Detroit Diesel was rebuilt and when the Squirt was rebuilt, and best of all, a Crown Firecoach owners manual. "It's cool to read and it almost looks like it was typed off a typewriter, not as now with computers and all. It's really interesting," says Frank.

Recently, Frank took his Crown to the Oldsmar, FL, fire department for some photos. "I sought their permission to take some pics of the truck in one of the bays and then out on the apron. Without hesitation they said yes." He adds, "It was a nice run down to the Oldsmar F.D. and back. The Crown is doing very well and is a real head turner."

Lastly, Frank states "I want to assure CFE that I will maintain the Crown to the best of my ability. I know the Crown is a well loved fire truck in California and surrounding states, and this one is a piece of California fire apparatus history. It deserves to be cared for, both for the sake of the truck and also our mutual clubs, the CFE and the Dalmingo Society."

Don't worry Frank, we are sure with your Crown Firecoach and your enthusiasm, you will be a great Crown ambassador there in Florida!

(Above) Frank's Crown with his friend's 1972 Mack CF pumper. Frank says "Both ran and pumped great and so we flushed the Crown out good. Then Jimmy ran his Mack to the hydrant, then his Mack to the Squirt. We ran his deluge gun and the water cannon off the Squirt and both performed very well."

2006 Featured Rig Article

Crowns of the Redlands

Fire Department | By Mike Britt

Redlands, CA, located in the Inland Empire in San Bernardino County, purchased three Crown Firecoaches which are still owned by the city. In 1975, the Redlands Fire Department took delivery of this Crown Firecoach aerial truck (S/N F1728) equipped with a 100 foot, rear-mounted Maxim ladder. Truck 751 (later known as RED T261) was in front-line service for 23 years until it was replaced by a Seagrave quint in 1998. Today, this Crown continues to serve as the department's reserve truck. Just before it went into reserve status, the department spent some $80-90K to have the ladder taken apart and a bent fly replaced. "RED" is the California OES-Firescope RDS designator for Redlands FD and 261 is the department’s San Bernardino County designator. Photo by Mike Britt

Shown above is Redlands FD’s 1969 Crown pumper (S/N F1592). It is powered by a Cummins Diesel, has a Spicer 5-speed manual transmission, 1250 gpm pump, high pressure booster pump and 500 gallon water tank. It served as Redlands Engine 1 (731) from 1969 to 1981 and Engine 2 (732, E262) from 1981-88 when it became a reserve (E261R). Above left, the rig as it looked when in service as Engine 2. The white fiberglass top and lightbar were later additions by the department. (Photo by Chuck Madderom). Above right, the 1969 Firecoach as it looks today as a parade engine. During 2005, the 1969 pumper was restored to its open-cab “delivery” appearance, a project led by CFE member and Redlands FD Engineer Ralph Serrano. Redlands Fire Mechanic Nick Lozano and retired Engineer Mack Mitchell assisted in the restoration, while CFE members Mike Britt, Bill Irving, Darrell Gilbert, and Don Jarvis all contributed parts for the restoration effort (Photo by Mike Britt).

The above pictured widebody model Firecoach (S/N F1855) is a 1981 pumper and was the last Crown purchased by Redlands F. D. It has a 1500 GPM pump, 500 gal tank, a booste pump connected to two high pressure booster reels, and Stang monitor. It was delivered with a Cummins diesel and manual transmission. When first put in service, it ran as Engine 1 out of the central station along with the 1975 Crown ladder truck. The department will continue to use it as a reserve engine until at least mid-2007 when two new Seagrave pumpers are to be delivered. In August 2006, it underwent to major overhall and had its front and rear suspension realigned, kingpins replaced and steering rods repaired. It then had a new clutch installed and pump valve problems repaired. (Photo by Mike Britt).

Apparatus Feature

2005

1955 Crown Firecoach Pumper-Tanker

SPECIFICATIONS:Manufacturer: Crown Coach, Los Angeles, CA Year: 1955
Serial No.: F1042Model: CP-125-93-2500TOriginal Powerplant: 935 c.i., 295 HP, Hall Scott gasolineTank: 2500 gallonsPump: Waterous, DCD-R-1250 GPMOriginal Cost: $30,000Original Owner: Huntington Beach Fire Department. Article by Mike Britt

Below Gallery: The Crown Tanker shown in its 1970s configuration for the Huntington Beach Fire Department, where it served until the early 1980s.

This Crown Firecoach was one of only three such tankers made by Crown. It's innovative design (in the 1950s) was the concept of Delbert G. "Bud" Higgins (Huntington Beach FD's second paid fire chief, who served in that position from 1950-1967). Higgins worked with Crown to create a fire apparatus to meet the unique needs of the City of Huntington Beach, which in the mid-1950s was a very different town than the city it is today, with a combination paid and volunteer department serving a small town surrounded by farmland and oil fields. It was the first of many Crowns purchased by Huntington Beach, which during the 1960s and 70s was almost entirely a Crown department. The Crown tanker was designated unit 8201 (numbers it still bears on the front of the cab) and became affectionately known as "the water buffalo" by members of the department. While the rig became a department workhorse, it was equally loved and hated by those who had to operate it. Despite being able to turn around within a 60' circle, it was a monster to drive, with a cab that required climbing skills to get up into and the engine compartment literally right next to the driver inside of the cab.Left: In the late 1960s, the Crown tanker was one of two Huntington Beach Crowns (units 8201 and 8207) at the old Oceanview station. Following annexations in 1965-66, Huntington Beach took over the former Oceanview Volunteer Fire Department on Beach Blvd. south of Warner Ave. (Larry Arnold Photo)As delivered, the Crown tanker featured a Timken SQW tandem dual rear drive and power steering. It had two 100', 2-1/2" and four 200' - 1-1/2" preconnected live lines, two electrical rewind hose reels, a permanently connected deluge set, and a hose bed capacity of 1600 feet of 2-1/2" hose.

In its original configuration, the monitor was located between the hose reels, behind and below the cab, and a Mars light was mounted in front of the cab. This allowed the rig to fit inside the old Huntington Beach HQ station (since torn down) and later the Oceanview station on Beach Blvd after it was annexed into the city (this building is now a Subway sandwich shop).

During the 1970s, the Crown tanker's service to Huntington Beach was extended after it was converted into a Crash truck (this was before the term ARFF) and assigned to protect the old Meadowlark Airport (Condominiums and a park now sit at the site of this old general aviation airport). A foam tank was added and the monitor relocated to the top of the cab of the tanker.

Below Gallery: The 1992-6 CFE newsletter carried this complete reprint of a December, 1956 Fire Engineering article about the Crown Tanker, written by Huntington Beach Fire Chief Bud Higgins (click image for full size).Left: The 1995-3 CFE newsletter carried an update article about the Crown tanker and a photo by Chuck Madderom. The cover of that newsletter was the factory delivery photo by Warren Bowen shown at the top of this article.In the early 1980s, following the purchase of three widebody Crowns by Huntington Beach, the Crown tanker was sold to the Sierra Brooks Volunteer Fire Department in Loyalton, CA. It served there for several years, but almost met its end there too.

In the 1990-6 CFE newsletter, CFE Treasurer Kent Cullom reported: "this unit sits outside in some fairly poor weather. As of July 1990, the unit was out of operation due to mechanical problems. The paint is badly faded, most of the windows are broken or cracked, the deck gun has been removed and some equipment is missing. Sierra Brooks is a rather poor all volunteer fire company in the second or third least populated county in the state. They have plans to repair F1042 as funds become available."

In 1997, the Crown tanker was rescued by CFE member Hewy Wick, who purchased the rig from Sierra Brooks and transported it back to southern California, to his ranch in Sage, CA, to begin the units restoration. In 2001, the rig was purchased by CFE member Mike McDonald, who put his team to work and got the tanker back into parade condition in time for the 2002 SPAAMFAA Convention in San Bernardino, CA, which was hosted by CFE. At the convention, the tanker was used as the water supply for the horse-drawn steamer display by the CSFA Steamer Team.

In October of 2003, the tanker was purchased by its present co-owners and CFE members, Darrell Gilbert and Don Pogue.

Many Huntington Beach firefighters worked on the Crown Tanker over the years and there are many stories told about it. Huntington Beach Firefighter (retired) John Conner shared one such story with current rig co-owner Don Pogue:

"Retired HB Batt. Chief. Ron Beard. was leading a strike team (they didn't call 'em that then) including 8201 to San Diego many years ago. They couldn't find location of the fire, but followed smoke (header) to a house and garage just "taking off". No other units were on scene. An elderly man was leaving his home (now starting to burn) with a very few possessions and tears in his eyes. He came out and "saw the biggest fire truck I've ever seen in my life pull up in front of my house". House saved, old guy happy. He sent a thank you letter with above quote."

Below Gallery: CFE member Richard Loff of Fountain Valley, CA, scratch built this scale model of Crown S/N F1042, which was featured in an article about fire apparatus modeling in the 1994-6 CFE newsletter.Above: The Crown Tanker parked with an apparatus display on "E" Street in San Bernardino, February, 2002 as part of the 2002 Winter SPAAMFAA Convention ("San Berdo in 2002") hosted by the Crown Firecoach Enthusiasts. The tanker pumper as part of the Saturday display.

Featured Rig

2004

Crown Firecoach "Super Tender"
(Custom conversion from 1975 aerial ladder truck)

Super Tender Specs:

 Owner: CFE member Mike McDonald, Escondido, CA
Conversion By: McDonald-Western Heavy Equipment, Valley Center, CA
Tractor Power: Cummins Diesel
Pump: 2000 GPM
Tank: 8,500 gallons

Original Crown Firecoach Specs:

Owner: San Diego Fire Department
Manufacturer: Crown Coach, Los Angeles, CA 
Model: Firecoach Aerial (CF-100-85D)
Year: 1975
Serial No.: F1753
Powerplant: Cummins 855 Diesel
Aerial: 100’ Maxim, rear-mounted

This unique Crown Firecoach conversion was originally conceived by Mike McDonald over 5 years ago with the tractor design based upon one originally constructed by Crown Coach for the Los Angeles City Fire Department (see photo below). That 1960 Crown was the only 3-axle tractor unit ever made by Crown (all aerial ladder tractors were 2-axle). It was destroyed early in its career by a vegetation fire and never replaced by L.A.F.D.

The Super Tender tractor was constructed from a 1975 Crown Firecoach 100 foot rear-mount ladder truck (S/N F1753) which originally served the San Diego Fire Department (see photo below). The ladder and body were removed, the frame was cut down, and a fifth wheel was added. The pump, pump-panel, hose reels and compartments came from a 1969 Crown pumper (S/N F1608), ex L.A. County FD (originally from the old Azusa FD). To complete the tractor, a 18,000 lb. front axle was added, along with a hydraulically operated Stang monitor. Large diameter flex hoses connect the 8,500 gallon polished aluminum tank to the tractor-mounted monitor, pump and tank fill. The unit has five 2-1/2 inch discharges and two side and two rear air-actuated sprays. It is capable of pumping 2000 GPM from the PTO pump. The tank can be filled from the top, rear inlet, or the pump panel. Polished aluminum wheels and custom graphics complete the unit.

The Super Tender is fully functional fire-fighting apparatus available under contract to both the California Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service. It is numbered "9349" and given the local designator of "Super Tender 7-2", for San Diego County CDF Battalion-7 (Monte Vista Ranger Unit, Valley Center Area).

Above, Chuck Madderom's photo of Crown Firecoach S/N F1753, shown in service as San Diego F.D. Truck 8. It was one of two identical trucks with 100-foot rear-mount Maxim ladders purchased by San Diego in 1967, the sister rig being Crown S/N F1754. F1753 was acquired by Mike McDonald in 2000.The idea for the Crown Super Tender tractor came from this 1960, 3-axle tractor (S/N F1223) used by the Los Angeles City Fire Department to pull a “lowboy” transport trailer. It was mostly used to haul one of the LAFD’s fire bulldozers, but could also be called to transport a broken down fire vehicle if one of the departments tow trucks could not manage it. The Crown fire-dozer transport met an untimely end at a brush fire when it was overrun by the flames and destroyed.Above, left and right: work on the conversion first began in May, 2000. The first step was to remove the aerial ladder from the truck (Mike Mcdonald still has it if anyone is in need of a 100-foot ladder). The front bumper was also removed for rechroming. Typical of most surplus San Diego rigs, the unit was in poor cosmetic condition.After being put on the back burner for some time, the project was finally completed in late 2003. Above left, the Firecoach cab with a fresh coast of paint. Above right, final work is underway on the tractor.Above left, the body of the former ladder truck now sits in a field with other parts-rigs. Above right, the pump, compartments, hose reels, etc, used for the Super Tender came from this parts donator Crown, an ex-LA County/ex-Azusa 1969 pumper (S/N F1608).The Super Tender made its CFE debut at the Code 3 Toy Run in Los Angeles in December, 2003.

Featured Rig

November-December 2003

1971 Crown Firecoach Aerial Ladder Truck

 Original Owner: Arcata (CA) Volunteer Fire Department
Manufacturer: Crown Coach, Los Angeles, CA 
Model: Firecoach Aerial (CF-100-54)
Year: 1971
Serial No.: F1663
Powerplant: International 549ci gasoline
Transmission: Allison 6 speed automatic
Aerial: 100’ Maxim, four-section, midship mounted

This aerial ladder truck served the Arcata, California, Fire Department from 1971 to 2002, as Truck 3. It was one of only seven midship-mounted ladder trucks that Crown produced. The aerial was built by Maxim, and has the distinction of having a four section ladder, instead of the normal three-section, so that the truck would be shorter to fit inside the Arcata headquarters station. In 1993, the rig was repowered with a 549 c.i. International Harvester like the original. When retired from first-line service, it had 8,709 original miles and 163.4 hours on the ladder hydraulic pump. In January 2003, the truck was acquired by CFE member Darrell Gilbert, complete with ground ladders, ladder pipe, pike poles and axes. It is now part of the newly formed California Fire Museum in Orange County, CA.

Photos: right and left side views of Crown S/N F1663 in front of the Arcata headquarters fire station.Above left, early 1980s photo with the units of the Arcata FD in front of the headquarters station. Crown ladder truck is in center. Above right, the Crown with some of Arcata's rigs in the late 1990s. The Crown ladder truck working at a fire in the Arcata business district in the early 1980s.Above left, an Arcata firefighter prepares to set up the aerial at a working dawn fire. Above right, with the stick up in the air at an early morning fire at a hardware store on February 10, 1990.1978 photo shows the aerial partially raised in front of one of Arcata's Victorian homes’ ladder pipe operations at a fully involved building fire at the Arcata airport. Unlike modern aerial trucks, there is no remote on the Crown - a firefighter must climb the ladder to direct the stream; July 26, 2001, the Crown ladder truck operates a yet another major fire in downtown Arcata, which destroyed there buildings, including a historic 1880s former theater. Read the article and view the image gallery at the website of the ArcataEye "America's most popular and obscure small town newspaper.”; in line for the apparatus parade at the CFE Pump-In at the Orange Empire Railway Museum in Perris, CA, April 27, 2003. Above right, on display at the California State Firefighters Association Convention, September 13-16, Costa Mesa, CA.

Featured Rig

September-October 2003

1960 Crown Firecoach Pumper

owned by CFE member Robert Guildig, Seattle, WA

Article by Mike Britt

This pumper was the third Crown Firecoach out of a total of 51 units which were built by Crown for fire agencies in the state of Washington between 1959 and 1982. For 40 years it served a total of three departments in two different counties before being retired from public service in 2000. The third owner, Kachess Ridge FD surplussed the Crown after the clutch and transfer case were damaged. Current owner Bob Guildig spent over $2000 to have the transfer case and clutch repaired to put the rig back in working order, extending the rig's life and making it the showpiece it is today.

This rig is a good example of why all owners of Crown pumpers should inspect the gear oil in the transfer case on a regular basis (for example with the preventive maintenance that should be done annually) and visually inspect the bottom of the transfer case after each time the pump is run for any sign of overflowing gear oil.

As many owners of older Crowns are aware, there is a weakness in the design of the cooling system used in the transfer cases of older pumpers. To keep the transfer case (sometimes known as the pump transmission) from overheating, the system takes water from the pressure side of the pump and runs it through a copper tube into the transfer case, then out the other end and back into the pump. The flaw in this design is that when you put steel and copper together in a liquid it will eventually cause a chemical reaction that eats a hole in the copper. When this happens, water leaks from the copper tube into the transfer case (the lowest point in the system), and water being heavier than oil settles to the bottom and pushes the oil to the top. This not only leaves the gears without lubrication, but will cause them to rust. Enough water will actually push the gear oil out through the top vent hole of the case. If the problem goes undetected, the gears will seize and you'll have a lot of broken teeth.

In the case of F1173, the FD was aware the transfer case needed to be repaired, and the rig was parked outside of the fire station "out of service." The cold Washington winter compounded the problem because the water that had leaked into the transfer case froze and cracked the housing. When the fire personnel tried to move the rig, they made things even worse and damaged the clutch (trying to move the seized gears).

CFE members Mike Britt, Ron Dierkens, Bob Guildig and Mike McDonald have all dealt with the transfer case problem on their old Crowns. Talk to any of us and we'll tell you about our experiences and what it took to fix! The worst case scenario is the removal of the a transfer case and installation of a longer, single driveline - meaning your rig can no longer pump. Luckily, F1173 was spared this fate.

Left: Crown F1173, in the 1970s in service as Engine 11 with theYakima County
Fire Protection District No.1, Cowiche Fire Department. Note the Federal Rotoray"gumball" light and the hand painted apples on the front and sides of the cab. Current
owner Bob Guildig says the leaves on the apples are in multiple shades of green.
Manufacturer: Crown Coach, Los Angeles, CA 

Model: Firecoach pumper (CP-100-81)

Year: 1960

Serial No.: F1173

Powerplant: 817 c.i. Waukesha gasoline

Transmission: Spicer 5-speed manual

Pump: Waterous centrifugal, rated at 1000 gpm

Tank Capacity: 750 gallons

Original Owner: Cowiche FD, Yakima County FPD#1 (WA)

Second Owner: Easton Vol. FD, Kittitas County FPD#3 (WA)

Third Owner: Kachess Ridge FD, Kittitas County FPD # 9 (WA)

Fourth Owner (First Private Owner): Joe D. Grennan, Seattle, WA
(Purchased November, 2000)

Fifth and Present Owner: Robert Guildig, Seattle, WA.
(Purchased June, 2002)

July-August 2003

SPECIAL FEATURE!

Crowns used for the movie:

"TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES"

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger

BEFORE T3: Crown Firecoach serial no. F1820, a 1980 widebody, 1500/500, Detroit Diesel, 50' Telesqurt. In its prime, this unit served the Huntington Beach Fire Department as Engine 41. For the movie it was relettered as Los Angeles Fire Department Engine 40 and used as the moving rig in the crane chase sequence.

BEFORE T3: Crown Firecoach serial no. F1830, a 1980 widebody, 1500/500, Detroit Diesel, pumper. Shown here in happier days as Engine 26 of the Orange County Fire Department which served north Irvine. For the movie a telesqurt boom was mounted on it from another unit to make it appear identical to F1820 above. It is the "stunt double" for F1820 that was blown apart in a fireball in the crane chase sequence.

Featured Rig

May-June 2003

1966 Crown Firecoach Pumper

owned by CFE member Bill Speeg

Article and research by Mike Britt 

Above, Crown F1450, in the 1970s running as 9222.Note the Federal Rotoray "gumball" and hose reels.

 Original Owner: Orange County (CA) Fire Department
Manufacturer: Crown Coach, Los Angeles, CA 
Model: Firecoach pumper (CP-125-109)
Year: 1966
Serial No.: F1450
Orange County Shop Number: 5155
Powerplant: Detroit Diesel 6V92
Original Powerplant: 1091 Hall-Scott gasoline
Transmission: Spicer 5-speed manual
Pump: Waterous centrifugal, rated at 1250 gpm
Tank Capacity: 500 gallons  

This Crown Firecoach was one of an order of seven identical pumpers delivered to the Orange County Fire Department in 1966. It was given shop number 5155, and assigned to fire station 22 in Laguna Hills. It served as first-out engine company "9122" until 1972 at which time Engine 22 received a new Crown. At that time this pumper became the second-out engine company "9222" until 1979, when it was put into relief service. In 1982 it was sent to West Coast Power in Anaheim, disassembled down to the frame, and completely refurbished and repowered from gasoline to diesel. At this time the hose reels and high pressure booster pump were removed and the lightbar was added. When completed, it was assigned to station 2 in Los Alamitos where it served as ORC E2 for several years until going back into relief service, first as ORC E73 and finally as ORC E933. In 2001 this Crown was declared surplus and sent to auction by the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). It was acquired by its current owner in 2002.

 Images: As OCFD reserve Engine 933, in April, 1995; in the yard at Ken Porter Auction Company, Torrance, CA, in August, 2001; at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles following the Code 3 Toy Run, December, 2001; in Culver City, CA during the Alicia Ann Ruch Burn Run, August, 2002’ with other Crowns at the Valley Center Fire Safety Expo, October, 2002.; parading down Main Street at the Orange empire Railway Museum, Perris, CA, as part of the CFE Pump-In, April, 2003.

March-April 2003

1967 Crown Firecoach Pumper "Big John"

Photos and article by Mike Britt

Crown F1526, in the 1970s and early 1980s, with Federal Rotoray "gumball" and hose reels. The white fiberglass top was added to the open cab in the early 1970s.

 Current Owner: Orange County Fire Services Association (OCSFA)
Original Owner: Orange County (CA) Fire Department
OCFSA "Big John" Chair: CFE Member Randy Marsile
Manufacturer: Crown Coach, Los Angeles, CA 
Model: Firecoach pumper (CP-125-109)
Year: 1967
Serial No.: F1526
Orange County Shop Number: 5162
Powerplant: Detroit Diesel 6V92
Original Powerplant: 1091 Hall-Scott gasoline
Transmission: Spicer 5-speed manual
Pump: Waterous centrifugal, rated at 1250 gpm
Tank Capacity: 500 gallons  

This 1967 Crown Firecoach pumper has an interesting history and a personal connection to one of our CFE members, Randy Marsile. Randy wears many hats in the fire service. He is the chairperson of the CFE pump-in committee, the group in charge of planning our club's annual event to be held this year on April 27. He is Director of Fire Management for the Southern California Edison Company and presently serves as the President of the 90-year-old Orange County Fire Services Association (OCFSA).

Randy is also the "Big John" chair for OCFSA. "Big John" is the nickname given to this 1967 Crown Firecoach. A plaque on the side of the Crown explains that the rig is dedicated in honor of OCFSA Chaplain, Monsignor John Sammon, who for many decades has served as a fire chaplain in Orange County. Msg. Sammon is so well respected by firefighters that not one but three OCFSA rigs have been dedicated to him over the years (this rig is actually the second "Big John"and there is also a "Little John" antique rig, but that is another article!)

The current "Big John" began its career as Engine 10 (9110) at the County of Orange, CA, Yorba Linda Fire Station. For nearly two decades, this Crown had a Paid-Call Firefigher (PCF) crew and joining Station 10's crew in 1973 was PCF Randy Marsile. Randy later became engineer on Engine 10, getting to know the rig from the drivers seat very well, and eventually was promoted to Station 10 Captain, the position he held when he retired from Orange County Fire.

In the mid-80s, ORC shop#5162 was reassigned for several years to Engine 13 in La Palma, and in 1987, it was sent in for a complete re-power and refurbishment. After the refurb was completed, it was assigned to the relief pool as reserve E923 for Battalion 2 (above left photo), Later it became reserve E971 for Battalion 7, where it was kept at Station 40 in Coto de Caza.

When Randy learned that the 1967 Crown was nearing the end of it's service life with the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), he set the wheels in motion and eventually convinced the OCFA brass to donate old 9110 to the OCFSA, which it did in May, 2000. Since that time, the rig has become a fire service education ambassador for the OCFSA, visting local schools and making many other public appearances on a regular basis. The rig is outfitted with a stereo and PA system which includes a pre-recorded, interactive fire saftey program narrated by Thurl Ravenscroft, best known as the voice of "Tony the Tiger." But that's not all! The headlights on "Big John" are outfitted with windshield washer hoses, allowing the pumper to shed tears at will (with a little remote-control help) and, of course, the rig's unit number, 9110, contains the three most important fire safety numbers: "9-1-1."

9110 was one of many rigs attending the 2001 "Crusin' For a Cure" event held on the runways at the former El Toro Marine Corps Base. Above right, 9110 "Big John" and crew at the 2002 CFE Pump-In, Perris, CA.

  9110 "Big John" in the apparatus parade during the 2002 SPAAMFAA Winter Convention in San Bernardino, CA. Above right, in the Code 3 Run from Valley Center to San Marcos, Valley Center Fire Safety Expo, October, 2002.

OCFSA President Randy Marsile (left) holds the microphone for "Big John" namesake, Monsignor John Sammon (right) at the Orange County Fire Service Memorial in Santa Ana on 9/11/02.

Featured Rig

January-February 2003

1967 Crown Firecoach Pumper

Owner: CFE member Paul Krot

Manufacturer: Crown Coach, Los Angeles, CA 
Model: Firecoach pumper (CP-1150-109)
Year: 1967
Serial No.: F1491
Powerplant: Detroit Diesel 8V71
Original Powerplant: 1091 Hall-Scott gasoline
Transmission: Spicer 5-speed manual
Pump: Waterous centrifugal, rated at 1500 gpm
Tank Capacity: 500 gallons  

Chelan County Fire District Engine 129 is a 1967 Crown Firecoach pumper. E129 carries Crown Coach serial number F1491. She is fitted with a Waterous 1500 gpm pump, 750 gallon water tank, powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V71 paired with a Spicer 5 speed manual transmission and was originally powered by a Hall-Scott 1091 gasoline engine. She started life in Redmond, WA, with King County Fire District Number 34, where she last served as E13. On February 5, 1988, F1491 was sold to the Chelan County Fire District for $22,500. F1491 first served as E125 and last as E129 when she was purchased by CFE member Paul Krot in July of 2001. F1491 currently lives in sunny southern California where she is being restored to an "in service" appearance of Chelan County Fire District #1, E129. Little work needs to be done aside from adding a few items that were removed since she was meticulously cared for by Chelan County Fire. More pictures of E129 are available at Paul's Crown website: www.crownisking.org (website currently out of service).

The 1998-4 CFE newsletter featured an article about the Chelan County Fire District Crowns and included these B&W versions of photos by Bill Hattersley, showing F1491 in the early days. Note the original Federal BeaconRay warning lights with rounded lenses were changed to newer square top models, which were later replaced with the present light bar.

Above left is a 1997 newspaper article with a photo of F1491. The red rig pictured at right is F1492, the sister Crown to F1491. Both were ordered, built, and received at the same time and originally were identical to one another.