Apparatus

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From barrels and buckets in 1838, to the specialized machinery of airport crash and rescue teams of today, firefighting apparatus are essential and evolving. This collection spans from the late Volunteer Firefighting Era to the more contemporary apparatus, similar to what is seen today.

Houston formed its first full-time, paid fire department in June 1895. Prior to that, volunteer firefighters, like those pictured here in front of their steam engine wearing their best parade uniforms, served a small but growing city. Many of these volunteers were among the first 44 paid members of the Houston Fire Department.

Firefighters on a horse-drawn steam engine outside the orginal Station #7.

Volunteer firefighters pictured in front of a steam engine before Houston got its full-time, paid Fire Department in June of 1895.

A two-horse wagon with deck gun, circa 1900.

HFD Water Tower - 1912 65 Foot American LaFrance.jpg

Houston's only water tower was a 1912 American Automatic, pulled by three horses until 1920 when the rig was harnessed to a motorized tractor.

Houston's motorized water tower. The tower was housed at Central and responded to large downtown fires until 1966 when the department took delivery on two snorkels.

HFD Fire Station 01 - 1970_s Snorkel Training (Unknown).jpg

Snorkel training at Station #1, 1970s

1925 Chemical Truck outsidie Central Station.jpg

Chemical Truck outside Central Station, 1915. This was HFD's first motorized apparatus, built in 1903 for $1,800.

Pumper 6, 1927

HFD Fuel Supply Truck - 1960s Dodge (Unknown) 001.jpg

1960s Dodge HFD fuel supply truck

Harris County Emergency Corps, 1950s Ford

HFD Engine 24, 1925 Seagrave

Aerial Ladder Truck

Copy of HFD Ladder 01 - 1952 American LaFrance Model 700 (Unknown) 001.jpg

HFD Ladder 1, 1952 American LaFrance, Model 700

1950s apparatus in front of the original Station #7

Airport Crash Truck #2. Airport fire trucks will often have special off-road tires and a suspension system that's made for the rougher terrain surrounding the airport. They are also used at aerodromes and military bases.

HFD fireboat "Port Houston"

Port Houston Crew Photo

HFD Fire Boat - Captain Crotty (Chuck Buschardt) 001.jpg

HFD Fireboat "Captain Crotty" was placed into service October 25, 1950. The ship channel had been without fire protection since 1946, when the fireboat "Port Houston" was retired. The Navigation District took over operation of the new boat.

Photo by Chuck Buschardt

HFD Engine 43, 1963 Hahn Diamond-T

HFD Airport Rescue Service Truck, 1952 American LaFrance Model 700

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Apparatus