Tri-towns FC, Piedmont, WV

[brucobuff]

Piedmont has long been the 2nd largest community in Mineral Co., however prosperity left the town decades ago and a dwindling workforce at the nearby Luke, MD. paper mill does not bode well for the future.
Tri-towns FC was named for the 3 adjacent commmunites: Piedmont, Westernport, MD. and Luke,MD., all separated by the 300' wide Potomac River.
The vfc has managed to keep updating its equipment and services through the past few years.
The station was built in 2 parts, the right hand bay was built prior to WWII, and the left and center bays were added in 1964.
At the time of this photo in 2005, there were 6 pieces of equipment crammed into this building, the unit at right is Air 24, a 2004 Ford F-550/Pierce Contender (1 of 2 Contender series rigs received that year).

[brucobuff]

From 1920-1974, Piedmont's Tri-towns FC was an American LaFrance co., with 3 pumpers in use over that time.
I have no photos of reg.3112, a 1920 type 75 triple combination, but the 1941 delivery of reg. L-1592, a B-675CO 750/100 survives today.
Note the ladder rack and unusual warning lights on the fenders.
1975 slide by J. Woods, Jenkins collection
2005 photo by WW Jenkins

[jk]

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interesting rig, thank's for sharing the image.

[brucobuff]

In May 1992, Tri-towns had these 4 rigs in service:
1958 Ford F-800/ALF/4-Guys 750/500
1974 Ford C-8000/Pierce 1000/750 one of 1st Pierce deliveries in area, had just been repainted/relettered in 1992.
1991 Grumman Panther II (HME cab) 1000/1000
1979 Ford F-350/Somerset Welding & Steel  Air cascade unit
All photo by WW Jenkins

[brucobuff]

In October 1998, we found a 1995 Freightliner FL-70/New Lexington 1000/1000 had replaced the 58 Ford, which was sitting derelict beside an old RR station next to the firehouse.
A converted 1993 Ford E-350/Collins ambo had replaced the 1979 Ford.

[brucobuff]

In 2005, Tri-towns still had the 74 Ford C/Pierce and the 91 Grumman, but the FL/New Lex engine was gone in favor of this huge 2000 Pierce Dash 1500/300/105' quint, which has had some long mutual-aid runs to Oakland, MD., and Frostburg, MD. as well as to nearby Keyser, WV.
WW Jenkins photos

[Engine33Truck]

Thanks! I'm in Keyser right now, so do you know if the Ford/ALF still sits there? If so I'll run down there and take a few pics.  I never knew about 24-14, that's one nice rig.  Do you know what happened to the 1941 American LaFrance?

On a more serious note: over the weekend, Station 24 was kicked for mutual aid to Allegany County Station 22 (Potomac), Engine 24-11 responded with I think 8, during their response they were hit by a car.  Most of what I know came from two of 24 Crew talking with a mic in earshot that was stuck open.  The car apparently rolled.  One firefighter was sent to the hospital and released later that night.  At this time I'm not sure of the condition of 24-11, or the occupants of the other vehicle, which was at fault for the collision

[brucobuff]

Thanks! I'm in Keyser right now, so do you know if the Ford/ALF still sits there? If so I'll run down there and take a few pics.  I never knew about 24-14, that's one nice rig.  Do you know what happened to the 1941 American LaFrance?

On a more serious note: over the weekend, Station 24 was kicked for mutual aid to Allegany County Station 22 (Potomac), Engine 24-11 responded with I think 8, during their response they were hit by a car.  Most of what I know came from two of 24 Crew talking with a mic in earshot that was stuck open.  The car apparently rolled.  One firefighter was sent to the hospital and released later that night.  At this time I'm not sure of the condition of 24-11, or the occupants of the other vehicle, which was at fault for the collision

On our last visit to Piedmont in 2005, the 58 Ford was long gone and the 41 ALF was buried deep in the house and non-operable.
As for E24-11, it was hit at the main intersection of RTs. 36 & 135 in Westernport while responding. it was hit on the officer's side rear tire, very little body damage but apparently broke the rig's rear axle.Minor injuries to everyone involved.
Lots more info, pics, etc. at pfc22.com which you may not be familiar with?

[Engine33Truck]

I wasn't aware it was already on Potomac's site.  Truck's not totalled is it (I know almost nothing about vehicles)

[Engine33Truck]

On our last visit to Piedmont in 2005, the 58 Ford was long gone and the 41 ALF was buried deep in the house and non-operable.
As for E24-11, it was hit at the main intersection of RTs. 36 & 135 in Westernport while responding. it was hit on the officer's side rear tire, very little body damage but apparently broke the rig's rear axle.Minor injuries to everyone involved.
Lots more info, pics, etc. at pfc22.com which you may not be familiar with?

Last I heard, the crew was released from the ER later that night and they're all fine.  

[Engine33Truck]

In 2005, Tri-towns still had the 74 Ford C/Pierce and the 91 Grumman, but the FL/New Lex engine was gone in favor of this huge 2000 Pierce Dash 1500/300/105' quint, which has had some long mutual-aid runs to Oakland, MD., and Frostburg, MD. as well as to nearby Keyser, WV.
WW Jenkins photos

That also baffles me as to why they'd get rid of 24-14 instead of 24-13.

[brucobuff]

In 2005, Tri-towns still had the 74 Ford C/Pierce and the 91 Grumman, but the FL/New Lex engine was gone in favor of this huge 2000 Pierce Dash 1500/300/105' quint, which has had some long mutual-aid runs to Oakland, MD., and Frostburg, MD. as well as to nearby Keyser, WV.
WW Jenkins photos

That also baffles me as to why they'd get rid of 24-14 instead of 24-13.

Some things we learned in 2005;
The members really wanted a truck, not just for local needs, but call potential elsewhere.
The FL/New Lex was a demo! (sound familiar?)
Being only 5 years old, 24-14 brought a decent price from IRC a broker who took it out of state.
24-13 is a sentimental fav among their older members plus it is a short-wheelbase engine just like 24-11 and better suited to the highway "system", and Piedmont's streets. the FL was a little long...

[brucobuff]

This 2004 Ford F-550/Pierce Contender Air/support unit was in service in 2005, however it is not listed on their website roster?
WW Jenkins photo

[Engine33Truck]

This 2004 Ford F-550/Pierce Contender Air/support unit was in service in 2005, however it is not listed on their website roster?
WW Jenkins photo

Tri-Towns got out of the air business not too long ago.  I think they got rid of Air 24 around August or September 2009.

[Engine33Truck]

Some things we learned in 2005;
The members really wanted a truck, not just for local needs, but call potential elsewhere.
The FL/New Lex was a demo! (sound familiar?)
Being only 5 years old, 24-14 brought a decent price from IRC a broker who took it out of state.
24-13 is a sentimental fav among their older members plus it is a short-wheelbase engine just like 24-11 and better suited to the highway "system", and Piedmont's streets. the FL was a little long...

I knew they wanted a truck, they're probably the best truck company in the county.  Why do the demos constantly rear their heads in the area?  Some were good, like the old 38-11, but others, like 33-50 and 1-14 aren't.  24-13 does look short.  Some of their guys told me it was a twin of 25-12 (which is now sold).  Hmph, they should've went with an ALF...