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Apparatus through the Decades
The earliest photos of DC Fire Department apparatus are of 19th century horse-drawn steamer engines that pumped water and carried hose, as well as one known horse-drawn ladder truck. These were replaced by the Department’s first piece of motor apparatus, a 500 Gallon Waterous Pumper placed in service as Engine 24 on November 28, 1911. Today, the Department uses state of the art custom built fire engines, ladder trucks, heavy-duty rescue squads, fire boats, a foam unit, a hazardous materials unit, ambulances and other specialized apparatus that can respond to any type of emergency under almost any circumstance.
This is historic film footage of the ceremonial Last Run of the DCFD Horses on June 15, 2025. Reproduced with permission from the UCLA Film and Television Archives.
1800
Engine Co. #23
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
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19th-Century Horse-Drawn Chemical Wagon. Date: 1800s
Source: Kelleher Collection
1900
Truck A, Turn of the Century
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 16
Martin Wiegand's Planning Mill Fire
4 1/2 Street & Maryland Avenue, S.W. May 17, 1909
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 23
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
DC Fire Department, Truck Number 3
Going into Action Date: ca. 20th Century
Source: Kelleher Collection
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DCFD WT1, Horse-Drawn Champion Water Tower
Date: 1915
Source: Kelleher Collection
Date: Early 20th Century
Source: Kelleher Collection
Chief Belt, Marshall Bieber and DC Firemen Who Went to Baltimore
Date: ca. 1904
Source: Kelleher Collection
Date: TBD
Source: Kelleher Collection
Date: ca. 1900s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Fireboat "Firefighter"
Date: ca. 1900s
Source: Donation of Richard Schaffer
1910
D. C. F. D. First Piece of Motor Apparatus. 500 Gallon Waterous
Pumper. In service as Engine 24, November 28, 1911.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Utility Truck. "Nash-Quad" 2-Ton Truck Chassis. U. S. Army Ammunition Truck Body, Model 1918. Ordnance Dept. #50025. Nash Model 4017-F, 1918. Body by Kilbourne & Jacobs. Maximum Allowable Speed-15 m.p.h.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 10. Washington Railway & Electric Co. Fire; 14th. & D Sts., N. E. February 11, 1912. Third Size Clapp & Jones Engine
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 4. Magruder's Grocery Store Fire, Connecticut Avenue & K Street. April 29, 1919
Silsby Rotary Steamer
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 4. AHRENS-Fox, Model "A".
Received June 7, 1912. City's second motor fire apparatus. 700 g.p.m.2-cyl.piston pump. Picture taken September 11, 1926
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Mack A.C. built 1918. Purchased from Army by D.C.F.D. 1922. Placed in service as wrecker 1925. This truck is equipped with Holmes 10-ton Wrecker.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 16. Ahrens-Fox, Model "A".
Received Dec. 10, 1913. City's fifth motor fire apparatus. Ahrens-Fox No. 528. 700 g.p.m. 2-cyl. piston pump.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 16. Ahrens-Fox Hose Wagon
Received November 23, 1913. City's fourth motor fire apparatus. Front-mounted 250 g.p.m. rotary gear pump. Soda & Acid Tank.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 16. Ahrens-Fox, Model "A".
Received Dec. 10, 1913. City's fifth motor fire apparatus. Ahrens-Fox No. 528. 700 g.p.m. 2-cyl. piston pump.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Engine 16, 1910s Alf Pump Date: 1916
Source: Kelleher Collection
Wagon 210 - ALF 20-6 (In service November 7, 1919)
Engine Ten, D.C.F.D. (circa 1920)
Pumper 110 - ALF 12-6 (In service December 15, 1919)
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
1917 Ahrens-Fox Pump Wrecked Date: 1922
Source: Kelleher Collection
1920
Last Ceremonial Run of Fire Horses Barney, Gene and Tom
Horse-Drawn Pump Date: 1925
Source: Kelleher Collection; Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division
D.C.F.D #10 (1920) - Truck #2 - 75
Hayes - La France 1900
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Truck Co. No. 19
A0merican LaFrance 750 g.p.m. Rotary Gear Pumper. Serial 119. Received February 21, 1921. Picture taken Drill School, December, 1945.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 28
American La France 750 g.p.m. Rotary Gear Pumper. Serial 128. Received February 2, 1921. Picture taken Drill School, December, 1945.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 9
1925 Seagrave 1000 g.p.m. Pumper
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 29
1929 American LaFrance Pumper
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 26
American LaFrance 750 g.p.m. Rotary Gear Pumper. Serial 126. Received December 23, 1921. Picture taken Drill School, 1946.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
White Fire Apparatus
City of Washington, D. C. Fire Dept. Sept., 1925 Municipal
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
1930
DCFD Engine 26, 1939 Buffalo Type IV Pump
Date: 1940s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 6, 1930s Buffalo Type III Pump
Date: 1940s
Source: Kelleher Collection
1939 Buffalo Type IV Pump
Date: 1940s
Source: Kelleher Collection
1940
DCFD Rescue Squad 1, 1947 American-LaFrance 700
Date: 1940s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Rescue Squad 1, 1947 American-LaFrance 700
Date: 1940s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 23, 1940s Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1950s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Tower 2, 1940s Seagrave 100' Ladder
Date: 1950s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Tower 10, 1948 American-LaFrance 700 100' Ladder
Date: 1948
Source: Kelleher Collection
Early ambulance transports a patient after a motor vehicle accident.
Date: Circa 1940s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 11, 1947 Seagrave Pump
Date: 1950s
Source: Kelleher Collection
Engine 4 Pumper, 1000 gallon Ward-La France, Serial 154. Leaving Third Alarm, Box 165, February 23, 1948.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Serial 331 - First 100-foot Seagrave Aerial in D.C.F.D. - Delivered October 15, 1940. In service as Truck 3, November 19, 1940 - reassigned to Truck 5, December 12, 1947
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Engine 22, 1000 gallon Seagrave
One of Three - 21, 22, 24
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1940s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Engine Co. No. 4
American LaFrance Hose Wagon. McCann Pumper
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Engine 6 Wagon, 750 gallon Seagrave, Serial 265, Third Alarm, Box 165, February 23, 1948.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Wagon: 500 gallon Buffalo, Serial 259. Engine Co. No. 26, D.C.F.D, March 3, 1948. Pumper: 750 gallon Pirsch, Serial 150.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Wagon: 500 gallon Buffalo, Serial 259. Engine Co. No. 26, D.C.F.D, March 3, 1948. Pumper: 750 gallon Pirsch, Serial 150.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D. C. F. D. Truck Co. No. 2
Pirsch 100-ft. Aerial Ladder Truck. Picture Taken at Connecticut Avenue & M Street. About 1942.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D.C.F.D. Engine #24
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
1950
DCFD Tower 5, 1954 Peter Pirsch 100' Ladder
Date: 1970s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 17, 1956 Mack B-85 Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Rescue Squad 1, 1951 Peter Pirsch Rescue Squad
Date: 1950s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 26, 1957 Mack B-85 Pump
Date: 1959
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 24, 1950s Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1950s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 29, 1957 Mack B-85 Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 14, 1957 Mack B-85 Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 3, 1950s Ward LaFrance Fireball Pump
Date: 1950s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 9, 1950s Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1950s
Source: Kelleher Collection
Date: ca. 1950s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1950s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1950s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1950s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1950s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
D.C.F.D. Fire Prevention Parade. October 9, 1954. New Truck 3 with Auxiliary Crew.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Fireboat Quarters & Police Harbor Precinct 552- Maine Avenue, S.W.
1950 - Fireboat #1 - Quarters &
"William T. Belt"
550 - Maine Ave. S.W.
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1950s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1950s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1950s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Date: ca. 1950s
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
1960
4 new 1966 Ward LaFrance 750 GPM at pump
Date: 1966
Source: DC Fire & EMS Museum Collection
TBA
Source: DC Fire & EMS Museum Collection
DCFD Tower 5, 1966 Seagrave 100' Ladder
Date: 1984
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Tower 5, 1966 Seagrave 100' Ladder
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Tower 1, 1960 Peter Pirsch 100' Ladder
Date: 1988
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Tower 1, 1960 Peter Pirsch 100' Ladder
Date: 1988
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Tower 1, 1960 Peter Pirsch 100' Ladder
Date: 1988
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Special Unit, 1967 Oshkosh Class MB-5 Crash Tender
Date: ca. 1980s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Special Unit, 1967 Oshkosh Class MB-5 Crash Tender
Date: ca. 1980s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Rescue Squad 4, 1969 Ford N-850 Bruco Rescue Squad
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Rescue Squad 3, 1969 Ford F-850 Bruco Rescue Squad
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Haz-Mat 1, 1969 Ford N-850 Bruco Rescue Squad
Date: 1984
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD F & DCU, 1969 Ford F-1000 National Foam Ansul
Date: 1981
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD F & DCU, 1969 Ford F-1000 National Foam Ansul
Date: 1981
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD F & DCU, 1969 Ford F-1000 National Foam Ansul
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD EPIO, 1965 IHC R-185 FTI Pump
Date: 1986
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 30, 1969 Ford F-850 Bruco Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 24, 1963 Ward LaFrance Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 23, 1961 Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 21, 1969 Ford F-850 Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 17, 1966 Ward LaFrance Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 16, 1961 Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 12, 1966 Ward LaFrance Pump
Date: 1985
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 12, 1966 Ward LaFrance Pump
Date: 1985
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 10, 1965 Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 10, 1965 Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 10, 1965 Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 9, 1969 Ford F-850 Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1984
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 9, 1960 Ward LaFrance Firebrand Pump
Date: 1981
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 4, 1968 Ford F-850 Ward LaFrance Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 1, 1965 Peter Pirsch Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 2, 1963 Ward LaFrance Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 2, 1966 Ward LaFrance Pump
Date: 1977
Source: Kelleher Collection
1970
DCFD Engine 4, 1970s Ford C-UNK Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 6, 1975 Ford C-900 Sutphen Pump
Date: 1981
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 11, 1973 Ford C-900 American-LaFrance Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 11, 1973 Ford C-900 American-LaFrance Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 12, 1975 Ford C-900 Sutphen Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 13, 1973 Ford C-900 American-LaFrance Pump
Date: 1981
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 16, 1979 Hahn 84 Pump
Date: 1981
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 21, 1973 Ford C-900 American-LaFrance Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 27, 1970s Ford C Sutphen Pump
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
1970 Ford C Ward LaFrance Pump
Date: 1971
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Fireboat John H. Glenn Jr.
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD LW
Date: 1979
Source: Kelleher Collection
1980
DCFD Engine 6, 1983 Hahn 84-92 Pump
Date: 1983
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 12, 1981 Hahn 84-92 Pump
Date: 1985
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 12, 1983 Hahn 84-92 Pump
Date: ca. 1980s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 14, 1986 E-One Hurricane Pump
Date: 1987
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 17, 1981 Hahn 84 Pump
Date: 1983
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 24, 1980 Hahn 84 Pump
Date: 1981
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 24, 1980 Hahn 84 Pump
Date: 1981
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 26, 1986 E-One Hurricane Pump
Date: 1997
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 28, 1987 Ford C-8000 E-One Pump
Date: ca. 1980s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD FW2, 1980 SMI Crash Tender
Date: ca. 1980s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Haz-Mat Support Unit
1982 Chevrolet C-30 Step-Van
Date: ca. 1980s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Rough Rider 1, Armored Car
Date: 1988
Source: Kelleher Collection
1990
DCFD CIU, 1999 Ford F-800 Knapheide Cave-In Wagon
Date: ca. 1990s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Engine 25, 1993 E-ONE Cyclone Pump
Date: ca. 1990s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD FW2, 1991 Amertek Crash Tender
Date: ca. 1990s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Rescue Squad 2, 1997 FL-106 with 1984 E-ONE Rescue Squad
Date: ca. 1990s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD Tower 17, 1997 Seagrave TT 100' Ladder
Date: ca. 1990s
Source: Kelleher Collection
DCFD TAU1, 1999 Ford F-350 with 1983 Fire-Tec Twinned Agent Unit
Date: ca. late 1990s
Source: Kelleher Collection
Hazardous Materials Unit. Date: 1992
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
BFC 1. Date: 1992
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
The John Glenn. Date: 1992
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
The John Glenn. Date: 1992
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Engine 13 and Truck 10. Date: 1992
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Engine 13 and Truck 10. Date: 1992
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Old Engine 13 and the Foam Unit, which is used for plane crashes and other fires with a large amount of fuel. The Foam Unit travels to the White House every time the President takes off or lands in his helicopter. Date: 1992
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Engine 5. Date: 1992
Source: Washington, DC Fire and EMS Museum
Today
Battalion Fire Chief “buggy” – nickname dates back to the 19th century horse drawn buggies.
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Ambulance 19B
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Air Unit 1 – this unit refills members’ Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus after fires.
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Fire boat 2
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Foam Unit 2 – this unit, which uses foam to extinguish large scale gasoline or chemical fires, responds to the White House every time the President’s helicopter takes off or lands.
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
EMS Supervisor 2 “buggy” – this supervisor is a member of the Battalion Management Team
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Hazardous Materials Unit 1
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Hazard Materials Support Unit
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
A typical box alarm response on Side A of the incident scene
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Checking the oil on a modern Ladder Truck
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Engine 5 and the Canteen Unit
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Rescue Squad Support Unit
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Rescue Squad
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Rescue Squad
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Tower 3 – this ladder truck responds city-wide to incidents that require the use of a basket for high angle rescues or for the aerial’s ability to deliver a strong external water attack on a large fire.
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Fireboat 1, The John Glenn, putting on a water display for a public event at the District Yacht Club in Southeast. Date: 2017
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Fireboat 1, The John Glenn, operating in the Anacostia River beneath I-695 during a vehicle fire. Date 2018
Source: DC Fire and EMS Department
Virtual Tours of Today's Apparatus
Virtual Tours of Today's Apparatus
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