NEWARK FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY
by Hank Przybylowicz
NEWARK’S MACK “L” PUMPERS
In 1940, Mack Trucks Inc. added the “L” series to their fire apparatus line. This new heavy-duty model was meant to complement their “E” series, which was a light to medium-duty apparatus.
There were six types of “L” models, as shown below:
19 - Mack Thermodyne 707ci 225 HP - 1000 GPM
80 - Mack Thermodyne 611 ci 185 HP - 750 GPM
85 - Mack Thermodyne 707 ci 225 HP - 750 GPM
95 - Same as 85 - 1000 GPM
125 - Same as 85 - 1250 GPM
21 - Hercules HXE 935ci 225 HP - 1000 to 2000 GPM
Hall-Scott 935 ci 300 HP
Hall-Scott 1091 ci 324 HP
The serial numbers consisted of the type; model (L); single reduction axle (S), and sequential number. For example: 19LS1068. Mack built a total of 1,453 “L” model pumpers from 1940 through 1954.
The Hale centrifugal pump used in the “L” model Mack pumpers
Prior to the ‘40s, the only Mack fire apparatus that could be found in the NFD were a couple of ‘20s tillered aerials and a hose wagon, but no pumpers. A few other Mack rigs could be found on the roster, but these were utility vehicles, such as a wrecker, a fuel truck, etc. In 1942, Mack provided the NFD with an “L” Model tractor, but it still wasn’t a pumper.
In 1947, the City of Newark advertised for bids for two new pumpers, and Mack won the contract. For the first time in NFD history, there would be a Mack pumper on the roster.
On November 3, 1947, the NFD took delivery of two, shiny, new “L” Model Mack pumpers: serial numbers 19LS1067, and 19LS1068. LS1067 was lettered for Engine 10 and LS1068 for Engine 12. These rigs would replace Engine 10’s 1922 Ahrens-Fox, and Engine 12’s 1927 American-LaFrance pumpers.
Both rigs were equipped with Hale, two-stage, 1000 GPM, centrifugal pumps, 150-gallon booster tanks, and six-cylinder gasoline engines. They measured a little over 24 feet in length, and weighed 14,975 pounds empty. The pumpers were purchased at a cost of $12,573 each, which would be equal to $121,173 each in 2008.
Engine 12 undergoes its acceptance test.
The two new engines were stored in Engine 19’s Frelinghuysen Avenue quarters, pending their acceptance tests and equipment outfitting.
Engine 12’s 1947 Mack working at an unknown fire location.
On November 19, 1947, LS1068 was placed in service with Engine 12, bearing NFD Register #21.
Engine 10’s 1947 Mack as it appeared in a Fire Engineering magazine ad.
However, it wasn’t until February 5, 1948, that LS1067 was placed in service with Engine 10. It bore NFD Register #10.
The rigs performed well, becoming an instant hit with the firemen who manned them. The two new pumpers were assigned to two of the city’s busier engines, and saw plenty of fire duty during their five-year tenures with them.
During their time with the two companies, the two Mack pumpers suffered their share of dings and dents. Probably the most serious incident occurred on April 20, 1950, when Engine 10’s Mack pumper skidded into the company’s 1943 hose wagon, damaging its rear step, and causing a bulge in the left side of the body.
With the early ‘50s, came the “Cold War.” Russia had gained atomic weapons and a need was seen for the United States to upgrade the protection of its major cities, in the event of a nuclear attack by Russia.
To see this through, the U.S. Government offered a Matching Funds Program, in which they would basically pay half the cost of new fire pumpers. With Newark being in a nuclear “first-strike-zone” (the East Coast), and its apparatus fleet being well aged, it fell headfirst into the Government’s program. Almost 40% of the NFD’s pumper fleet was brought up-to-date through this program.
The arrow indicates the Civil Defense emblem.
The rigs purchased under this program could be identified by the red, white, and blue, circular/triangle Civil Defense emblem at the bottom of the cab doors. This indicated that in the event of a national emergency, the Government could commandeer these engines and assign them as needed.
Four of the new apparatus gained through this program were 1952 Mack “L” model pumpers. Serial numbers 19LS1294, 19LS1295, 19LS1296, and 19LS1297 went to Newark. LS1294 arrived June 30; followed by LS1295 and 1296 on July 2; and LS1297 the next day.
All four rigs were identical, being equipped with Hale centrifugal pumps, 200-gallon booster tanks, six cylinder gasoline engines, and 48-gallon fuel tanks.
The rigs were put through their acceptance and equipping phases, and the first two were placed in service on August 27.
Engine 12’s ‘52 Mack working at a fire on Springfield Avenue.
LS1295 was assigned to Engine 12, bearing NFD Register #112, and LS1297 was assigned to Engine 22, bearing NFD Register #113.
Engine 22’s Mack at the Centre Street Dock.
A week later, on September 4, LS1294 was assigned to Engine 10, bearing NFD Register #109.
Engine 10’s 1952 Mack at the Centre Street Dock.
The last of the foursome wasn’t placed in service until September 26, when it was assigned to Engine 20, carrying NFD Register #111.
Engine 20’s Mack at a fire scene on Springfield Avenue.
Engine 10’s and 12‘s 1947 Mack “L” pumpers were placed in reserve as spares, both being replaced by the newer models.
Once again, the new Macks gained great favor with the men who rode and operated them. They were all placed in busy and hard-working companies, and proved the worth of the company’s motto, “Build Like a Mack Truck!” Many working fires in the lower Fourth Battalion would see three of the Mack beasties on the first alarm: Engines 10, 12, and 20.
Register 10 at the Centre Street Dock after being reassigned to Engine 26.
The 1947 pumpers, which were in reserve as spares, were cleaned up and reassigned: Register 10 went to Engine 26, on May 11, 1953, and Register 21 was reassigned to Engine 29, on June 4, 1953.
Engine 29 at the Centre Street Dock with Engine 12’s former 1947 Mack.
On January 3, 1956, Engine Co. 22 was disbanded, and their 1952 Mack was placed in reserve as a spare, but only for a short time. On April 6, the rig was reassigned to Engine 6. It proved to be a short stay, with the pumper being reassigned to Engine 16, on June 11, 1957, where it stayed for the remainder of its days.
Engine 6 at the Centre Street Dock after being assigned Engine 22’s 1952 Mack.
On August 9, 1961, Engine 12’s Mack “L” was placed in reserve as a spare, being replaced by the company’s new Mack “C” pumper, which was the third new Mack for them in 14 years. The 1952 Mack was reassigned to Engine 5, on January 11, 1962.
Engine 5 operating at the Hillside Metals fire with ex-Engine 12’s 1952 Mack.
During 1962, body and fender repairs, and repainting, were made to Register 21, and the rig was returned to Engine 29.
On August 24, 1963, Engine 16 was involved in a collision with their 1952 Mack, damaging the rear fenders, running board, and a side panel. It was taken out of service and returned to the company on September 16, 1963, after the damage had been repaired.
On November 21, 1964 the entire front end of Register 21 was damaged when Engine 29 struck a pole while responding to an alarm.
The year 1966 proved to be a tough one for Engine 20’s 1952 Mack. On January 6, it was involved in a minor accident with an automobile, resulting in little or no damage to the rig. However, it would not fare as well four months later, on May 15, 1966, when it collided with another auto, at Springfield Avenue and Jones Street, and had to be taken out of service for repairs. The rig was returned to Engine 20 after it was repaired.
Engine 20 collided with an auto, at Springfield Avenue and Jones Street, in 1966.
On November 3, 1969, Engine 10’s 1952 “L” was reassigned to Engine 19, and Engine 20’s ’52 Mack was reassigned to Wagon 16, both being replaced by their new Mack “R” pumpers. This was a first for the NFD, as both the pumper (Register 113) and hose wagon (Register 111) of Engine 16 were Mack “L” pumpers.
Engine 20’s Mack in the thick of it at a South Orange Avenue two-bagger in 1966.
Once again, Engine 16 was involved in a motor vehicle accident with their ’52 Mack (Register 113), on October 13, 1970, this time damaging the front bumper and right rear fender. On December 16, 1971, the rig was returned to Engine 16 after repairs were done.
On February 14, 1972, after 25 of years of hard service, Engine 29’s 1947 Mack was placed in reserve as a spare when the company was assigned a new Mack “R” pumper.
Engine 5’s 1952 Mack “L” was, once again, placed in reserve as a spare, on February 25, 1972, where it remained only six months, being scrapped on August 17, 1972.
In October, 1972, Engine 16’s 1952 Mack “L” pumper was placed in reserve as a spare.
Register 109, as Engine 19, at an unknown fire location.
Register 109, the 1952 Mack that was serving with Engine 19, was placed in reserve as a spare on February 20, 1973.
On May 31, 1974, Engine 26’s 1947 Mack was placed in reserve as a spare, where it served in that capacity for less than a year.
On June 3, 1974, a very tired Register 113, which had seen service with Engines 22, 6, and 16, was scrapped.
Engine 29’s 1947 Mack parked opposite their Bergen Street quarters.
On June 12, 1974, Register 21, the 1947 Mack pumper, which had served with Engines 12 and 29, was scrapped after serving the NFD for 27 years.
On February 6, 1975, Register 10, followed the fate of its 1947 sister rig, being scrapped. The rig had seen service with Engines 10 and 26 for 28 years.
On March 20, 1975, Register 111, the 1952 Mack that had served with Engine 20 and Wagon 16, was placed in reserve as a spare and scrapped shortly thereafter.
Old Wagon 16, aka Register 111, sits at the Training Academy awaiting disposal.
The last of the Mack “L” pumpers -- the 1952 Mack that faithfully served Engines 10 and 19 -- was scrapped on July 30, 1975. So ended the 28-year history of Newark’s Mack “L” pumpers.
The Mack “Ls” served the city well, having answered thousands of alarms and having fought thousands of fires. They all saw action through the first nine “War Years,” and several riots. Five of the six worked hard at the city’s biggest fire, on April 20, 1968, with the sixth engine working at two other fires that broke out during the conflagration.
Engine 29’s 1947 Mack hard at work at the Bergen and Avon conflagration of 1968.
As the writing on the hood of one of the old Mack “R” pumpers said, “An Oldie But A Goodie, ’Cause It’s A Mack, Jack!”
It just about says it all!
NOTE: The preliminary history of the Mack “L” model line, the model’s technical data, and the pump photo, were taken from “An Illustrated History - Mack Fire Trucks - 1911-2005,” by Harvey Eckart. The remainder of the report is a compilation of data researched by Captain Joseph Sperli and myself. The photos, which have helped make this report a lot more than just a whole lotta writin’, are from the collections of: Tom Ernst, Bob Frey, Gary Knoller, Joe Martin, Mike Martinelli, and my own. A tip o’ the ol’ high-eagle leather to them all for their warm generosity.
ng NFD Register #21.