August 2013
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The Signal “51” Group website has been named IFBA Website of the year by vote of the Website Committee. Group member and webmaster Cody Daniels deserves the credit for this. The website was originated by the late president, Dr. Norman Zaffater. After much time, work and research, Cody was able to break the code and get the site up and running again. Congratulations, Cody.
The biggest news in SFD apparatus was the arrival in mid-May of the new tower ladder truck- Truck 20 at the Port. Station 20 was built by the Port just over 10 years ago. The truck, along with a new Ferrara pumper, cost !.35 million. The port paid half the cost of the 2 units and will pay half of the firefighters’ salary plus half of the upkeep cost of Station 20. The ladder is a rear mount 100 foot with a platform at the tip that can hold up to 5 people. Dual nozzles can flow up to 2000 gallons of water per minute.
The truck is built on the Ferrara Custom “Inferno” chassis a Smeal ladder, like the ones in service in New York City. It is state of the art and a welcomed addition to the SFD.
The new Oskosh Airport crash truck has arrived and will be placed into service by the middle of August. It features a boom and “snozzle” capable of piercing the aluminum skin of an aircraft cabin and spraying foam into the interior. It will be labeled “Charlie 2” and replaces old “Charlie 3”. 3 will remain at the station (21) as a reserve. Charlie 1 and 6 will also remain but there will be only two manned , 1 and 2.
The 2 brush trucks are in service. One at Central downtown and the other at 13. They have pump and roll capability. As of early August had already made 2 runs. They will be crossmanned.
Ex Engine 20 is back from Ferrara after getting partially repainted. The left side and front of the cab was repainted because of peeling paint. The remainder was shined and buffed all the way around. This is a Quality Spartan with overhead service ladder rack, 2000 vintage. It will be sent to Station 12. Previous Engine 12 is now #10.
Previous Ladder Truck 20 is now subheavy rescue ladder Truck 12. The present Ladder 12 will be placed in reserve. The present reserve ladder truck will remain in reserve making the first time in SFD history there are 2 reserve ladder trucks. The old ladder truck in the shop yard has been used for parts, but will probably be sold or put in the upcoming city auction.
Ex engines 6, 10 and 12 will be the 3 reserves, but two or three of the old white (1987-88) Quality Spartans will be kept for additional reserves. The one in the SFD Shop yard will be sold or placed in the auction. Of two being kept as reserves, one has a fairly new motor, and the other has had extensive mechanical work. Of the 6 original 1987-88’s, one will remain for training at the Academy.
On July 1, 2013 the SFD gave retired Fire Chief Dallas W. Greene, Jr. a 90th birthday party at the SFD Maintenance Facility. Shreveport Fire Fighters Local 514 provided a huge fish fry. 500 + attended. Chiefs, firefighters, friends and relatives came. Dallas and wife, Alice greeted everyone. He gave a 10 minute talk and was presented with a silver trumpet with the proper engraving mounted on a wooden base for display. Two large birthday cakes were enjoyed by all. This was a truly fine affair and very fitting for the longest serving fire chief in the history of the SFD.
Harvey Carter
Secretary, Signal “51” Group
The biggest news in SFD apparatus was the arrival in mid-May of the new tower ladder truck- Truck 20 at the Port. Station 20 was built by the Port just over 10 years ago. The truck, along with a new Ferrara pumper, cost !.35 million. The port paid half the cost of the 2 units and will pay half of the firefighters’ salary plus half of the upkeep cost of Station 20. The ladder is a rear mount 100 foot with a platform at the tip that can hold up to 5 people. Dual nozzles can flow up to 2000 gallons of water per minute.
The truck is built on the Ferrara Custom “Inferno” chassis a Smeal ladder, like the ones in service in New York City. It is state of the art and a welcomed addition to the SFD.
The new Oskosh Airport crash truck has arrived and will be placed into service by the middle of August. It features a boom and “snozzle” capable of piercing the aluminum skin of an aircraft cabin and spraying foam into the interior. It will be labeled “Charlie 2” and replaces old “Charlie 3”. 3 will remain at the station (21) as a reserve. Charlie 1 and 6 will also remain but there will be only two manned , 1 and 2.
The 2 brush trucks are in service. One at Central downtown and the other at 13. They have pump and roll capability. As of early August had already made 2 runs. They will be crossmanned.
Ex Engine 20 is back from Ferrara after getting partially repainted. The left side and front of the cab was repainted because of peeling paint. The remainder was shined and buffed all the way around. This is a Quality Spartan with overhead service ladder rack, 2000 vintage. It will be sent to Station 12. Previous Engine 12 is now #10.
Previous Ladder Truck 20 is now subheavy rescue ladder Truck 12. The present Ladder 12 will be placed in reserve. The present reserve ladder truck will remain in reserve making the first time in SFD history there are 2 reserve ladder trucks. The old ladder truck in the shop yard has been used for parts, but will probably be sold or put in the upcoming city auction.
Ex engines 6, 10 and 12 will be the 3 reserves, but two or three of the old white (1987-88) Quality Spartans will be kept for additional reserves. The one in the SFD Shop yard will be sold or placed in the auction. Of two being kept as reserves, one has a fairly new motor, and the other has had extensive mechanical work. Of the 6 original 1987-88’s, one will remain for training at the Academy.
On July 1, 2013 the SFD gave retired Fire Chief Dallas W. Greene, Jr. a 90th birthday party at the SFD Maintenance Facility. Shreveport Fire Fighters Local 514 provided a huge fish fry. 500 + attended. Chiefs, firefighters, friends and relatives came. Dallas and wife, Alice greeted everyone. He gave a 10 minute talk and was presented with a silver trumpet with the proper engraving mounted on a wooden base for display. Two large birthday cakes were enjoyed by all. This was a truly fine affair and very fitting for the longest serving fire chief in the history of the SFD.
Harvey Carter
Secretary, Signal “51” Group
