Rolling Stock of the DVFD

 

 

1902 Ladder Wagon
1902 Ladder Wagon, pictured here at Centennial Square in Victoria in 2008, its first trip outside city limits
Builder Dobson & Grassie, local blacksmiths at Duncan, British Columbia
Equipment 16' Ladder, up to 6 fire buckets
In Service From 1902-1920s
  • First apparatus built for Duncan VFD
  • Hand-drawn, NOT horse-drawn, since horse-drawn apparatus was considered too expensive

Hose Reels / Chemical Cart
Chemical Hose Reel outside a "Sub Hall" on Carinsmore Street, a "strategic" fire hall on top of Hospital Hill
Builder Dobson & Grassie, local blacksmiths at Duncan, British Columbia
Equipment 4 Hose Reels, 1 Chemical
In Service From 1902-1920s
  • First 3 hose reels were acquired alongside the ladder wagon in 1902
  • Hand-drawn
  • Initially started off with 2 Hose Reels, 1 Chemical Cart
  • Aprox. 200 feet of hose per hose reel
  • Aprox. 10 gallon tank on chemical cart
  • A 4th hose reel was later purchased in 1905, and finally another hose reel in 1912

1912 Johnson Motor Truck
The Johnson, outfitted for some event which is possibly Empire Day, hence the Union Jacks all over the truck.  Note the chain-drive
Builder Unknown company in Vancouver, British Columbia
In Service From 1913-1915
  • First Motorized apparatus in Duncan
  • Most likely based off the popular Seagrave AC-53 motorized fire trucks from that era
  • Infamous for "injuring" a resident's fence along with various other problems with the truck
  • Primarly carried hose and ladders
  • Traded in 1915 for 2 motor cars, scrapped 1929

1915 Ford Motor Cars
Ford Motor Cars, these would of been private vehicles presumably Model Ts in that era.
Builder Duncan Garage, Duncan, British Columbia
Equipment Hose and Ladders
In Service From

First Car: 1915-1920

Second Car: 1915-1928

  • Two vehicles were acquired in a trade for the Johnson
  • Housed at Duncan Garage before the first fire hall was built
  • Carried hose and ladders
  • One was sold in 1920 to acquire the Cadillac, the other was sold in 1928 with equipment transfered to the 1928 Graham

1914 Cadillac
This is the only known photograph of the Cadillac, based at it's home: Duncan Garage
Converted by Duncan Garage, Duncan, British Columbia
In Service From

1920-1924

  • Car transformed into a fire truck by Duncan Garage
  • Carried hose and ladders
  • Sold in late 1924, replaced by the Model T

1922 Ford Model TT / 1924 LaFrance Chemical & Hose Wagon
1922 Model TT outside the 1924 Fire Hall, date unknown, before 1929.  The Model T has a hose reel hitch in action here
Builder LaFrance-Foamite of Canada, Toronto, Ontario
Type LaFrance Type "E" Chemical & Hose Wagon
Serial # Serial # Unknown
Equipment Twin chemical tanks, hose & ladders, at least 2 chemical extinguishers
In Service From 1924-1944
  • First commercial fire apparatus purchased by the City of Duncan
  • Towed hose reels for extra hose at scenes
  • Removed from active service in 1944, retired 1949, left department ownership in 1954 after being used as a parade float chassis
  • Redisovered and acquired by DVFD members in 1977, first restoration 1984, second restoration 2006

 


1928 Graham Brothers (Canada) / Duncan Iron Works Chemical & Hose Wagon
1928 Graham Brothers truck in original condition, ca. 1930
Builder Duncan Iron Works, Duncan, British Columbia
Originally Chemical & Hose Wagon (1928-1936)
Equipment (1) Twin chemical tanks, hose & ladders, at least 5 extinguishers
Refitted to Front-mount Pumper (1936-1952)
Pump Mfg. Darley-Champion
Equipment (2) hose & ladders, at least 2 chemical extinguishers, front PTO pump, top ladder rack
In Service From 1928-1952
  • Equipment transfered from one of the Ford Motor Cars
  • Total cost to construct: $3,000 in 1928 dollars
  • Converted to pumper, 1936
  • Sold to Mill Bay Fire Department in 1954, then sold to a logging company, then to a farm, then acquired by DFFHS.

 


192? McLaughlin-Buick / 1942 Duncan Iron Works Air Raid Patrol Unit
McLaughlin-Buick ARP truck being showcased for a photo-op during WW2, this is most likely when the truck was just finished being constructed by DIW
Builder Duncan Iron Works, Duncan, British Columbia
Equipment hose & ladders, at least 2 chemical extinguishers, ARP Pump
In Service From 1942-1949
  • The car was donanted by citizens of Duncan for World War II home patrols
  • Converted locally by City of Duncan Firefighters working at Duncan Iron Works
  • Carried Bickle-Seagrave pump that was assigned to Cowichan ARP
  • Replaced 1922 Model T, sold to an unknown party by 1949

 


1949 International KB-2 Panel Van / Inhalator (No. 3)
1949 IHC KB-2 Panel / Inhalator, photographed at the 1949 Fire Hall in 1949, when the '49 Bickle-Seagrave first arrived in town
Equipment Inhalator, stretcher, various medical equipment
In Service From 1949-1961
  • Operated by Duncan VFD
  • Response area was from Chemainus to Malahat
  • Traded in 1961, then sold privately, converted to a hot rod.

  • 1949 International KB-7 / Bickle-Seagrave Pumper (No. 1)
    1949 IHC KB-7 / Bickle-Seagrave (VI 118), photographed in 1976 in McAdam Park
    Builder Bickle-Seagrave, Woodstock, Ontario
    Type Commercial Pumper, 3-Stage High-Pressure Fog Unit
    Serial # 1187 (Unconfirmed)
    Pump GPM 500 GPM (Imperial)
    Tank Size 440 Imperial Gallons
    Refitted By Duncan Iron Works in 1954, cabinets added to the fire body
    BC PEP # VI 118
    In Service From 1949-1982
    • Purchased new by City of Duncan, driven home from the factory in Woodstock, Ontario
    • 45-foot Bangor ladder
    • Retired 1982, leased to Thetis Island from 1982 to 1997
    • Restored 2014

     


1952 GMC 9700 / Duncan Iron Works Front-Mount Pumper (No. 2)
1952 GMC 9700 / DIW (VI 117), photographed in 1976 in McAdam Park
Builder Duncan Iron Works, Duncan, British Columbia
Pump GPM 650 GPM (Imperial) front-mount pump
Tank Size 500 Imperial Gallons
BC PEP # VI 117
In Service From 1952-1979
  • Loosely based off No. 1's fire body
  • Retired 1979, given to Duncan Public Works as a sewer truck, then disposed of, rediscovered 2015.

1951 Chevrolet / Chief's vehicle (No. 4)

Insert photo of 1951 Chief's truck here, if you have any photo of this truck, please kindly send us a note, it would be much appreciated

We barely know of this truck's existance

In Service From 1954-1961
  • Ex-City of Duncan Public Works
  • "Utillity" vehicle
  • Sold 1961

1961 Ford F-600 / Duncan Iron Works Walk-in Rescue & Salvage Truck (No. 4)
1961 Ford F-600 / DIW (VI 120), photographed in 1976 in McAdam Park
Builder Duncan Iron Works, Duncan, British Columbia
Equipment Various rescue tools
BC PEP # VI 120
In Service From August 1961-1988
  • Total cost to construct: $8,000 in 1961 dollars
  • Allegedly the first purpose-built rescue truck in the province when it was first built
  • Sold to private interests in Westholme, fire body scrapped

1967 Mercury M-950 SD / LaFrance Pumper (No. 3)
1967 Mercury M-950 / LaFrance-Foamite (VI 119), photographed in 1976 in McAdam Park
Builder LaFrance-Foamite of Canada, Toronto, Ontario
Type Commercial 2-Stage Pumper
Serial # F66-8113
Pump GPM 840 GPM (Imperial)
Tank Size 500 Imperial Gallons
BC PEP # VI 119
In Service From 1967-1997
  • Sold 1997 to private interests in Salmon Beach, Ucluelet

1975 Ford C-900 / Thibault Pumper (No. 5)
1975 Ford C-900 / Thibault, photographed in 1976 in McAdam Park
Builder Pierre Thibault, Pierreville, Quebec
Serial # T75-163
Pump Test Date September 25th, 1975
Pump GPM 1050 GPM (Imperial)
Tank Size 500 Imperial Gallons
In Service From 1975-2002
  • Purchase price in 1975: $40,000 CAD, driven home from the factory in Pierreville, Quebec
  • Sold 2002 to Providence Farm
  • Scrapped 2014

1971 Ford C-800 / Willock Water Tanker (No. 6)
1971 Ford C-800 / Willock, photographed in 1979 in McAdam Park
Tank Builder Willock, Richmond, British Columbia
Tank Size 2000 Imperial Gallons
Pump Size 250 GPM (Imperial)
In Service From 1979-2006
  • Originally an oil tanker prior to being purchased and converted by Duncan VFD in 1979
  • Sold 2006 to local interests

1979 Ford E-100 / Command Unit (No. 7)
1979 Ford E-100 photographed in the early 80s in McAdam Park
In Service From 1979-1990
  • Sold 1990

1982 Ford C-8000 / Superior Pumper (No. 8)

1982 Ford C-8000 / Superior, photographed in 1996 by Bob Dubbert

Photo by Bob Dubbert, 1996-97

Builder Superior Emergency Vehicles, Red Deer, Alberta
Serial # SE 457
Pump GPM 840 GPM (Imperial)
Tank Size 750 Imperial Gallons
In Service From 1982-2005
  • First diesel-engined apparatus
  • Sold 2005 to Stone Pacific

1988 Ford CF-6000 / HUB Heavy Rescue Truck (No. 9)

1988 Ford CF-6000 / HUB Heavy Rescue

Builder HUB Fire Trucks, Abbotsford, British Columbia
Equipment Various Rescue tools, Jaws of Life
In Service From 1988-2013
  • Sold in 2013 to Honeymoon Bay Volunteer Fire Department

1990 Ford E-150 / Command Unit (No. 7) / Deputy Chief's Vehicle (No. 8)
1990 Ford E-150, photographed in 2007
In Service From 1990-2012
  • Chief's Command vehicle, 1990-2007
  • Deputy Chief's vehicle, 2007-2012
  • Scrapped 2015 in fireground practice

1982 American LaFrance Century Quint (Ladder 2)

1982 ALF Century 100' Quint, photographed in 1996 by Bob Dubbert

Photo by Bob Dubbert, 1996-97

Builder American LaFrance, Elmira, New York, USA
Serial # CE-2745
Pump GPM 1250 GPM (Imperial)
Tank Size 250 Imperial Gallons
Ladder Length 100 Feet / 30.48 Metres
In Service (Original Owner) 1982-1996
In Service (Duncan) 1996-2009
  • Originally served with Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District, Colorado, USA
  • Purchased by City of Duncan in May 1996
  • Sold in 2009 after failing ladder test
  • Donated to Firefighters Without Borders, shipped to Nicaragua

2000 Chevrolet 2500 First Responder / Brush Unit (Truck 3)

2000 Chevrolet 2500, photographed for the 2000 department picture at Arrow Cycle

Box Builder Express Custom, Parksville, British Columbia
In Service From 2000-Present
  • Express Custom storage box purchased 2012
  • Portable pump for brush fires

2002 American LaFrance / HUB Pumper (Engine 4)

2002 ALF / HUB Eagle II, photographed by Andrew Leong at Cowichan High

Photo by Andrew Leong, 2007

Builder American LaFrance & HUB
Type Eagle II
Serial # 3060-844
Pump Test Date July 11th, 2002
Pump GPM 1250 GPM (Imperial)
Tank Size 800 Imperial Gallons water, 20 "A" Foam Cell, 20 "B" Foam Cell
In Service From 2002-2018
  • Purchased new by City of Duncan for DVFD 100th Anniversary
  • Retired October 2018

2005 American LaFrance / HUB Pumper (Engine 5)

2005 ALF / HUB Metropolitan, photographed by Andrew Leong at Cowichan High

Photo by Andrew Leong, 2007

Builder American LaFrance & HUB
Type Metropolitan
Serial # 3475-935
Pump Test Date March 24th, 2005
Pump GPM 1250 GPM (Imperial)
Tank Size 800 Imperial Gallons water, 35 "A" Foam Cell
In Service From 2005-Present

2005 Sterling Acterra / Southern Fire Water Tender (Tender 6)
2005 Sterling Acterra / Southern, photographed in 2009
Tank Builder Southern Fire Equipment
Serial # 4653
Tank Size 3000 Imperial Gallons
In Service From 2006-Present
  • Two portable drop tanks

2007 Dodge Nitro (Command 7)

2007 Dodge Nitro, Command unit

Click to Enlarge

In Service From 2007-Present

 


1999 American LaFrance / General Safety / A.I. Tower (Tower 1)

2000 ALF / General / AI 100' Tower, photographed in 2011

Builder

General Safety Equipment, Wyoming, Minnesota, USA

Aerial Innovations, Pennsylvania, USA

Pump GPM 1750 GPM (Imperial)
Tank Size 250 Imperial Gallons
Ladder Length 100 Feet / 30.48 Metres
In Service (Original Owner) 1999-2009
In Service (Duncan) 2010-Pres
  • Originally served with Muskegon Fire Department, Michigan, USA
  • Purchased by City of Duncan in 2009

2013 Dodge RAM 5500 / Fort Garry Rescue Truck (Rescue 9)

2013 Dodge / Fort Garry 12' walk-around rescue

Builder Fort Garry Fire Trucks, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Serial # M445
Equipment Various Rescue tools, Jaws of Life
In Service From 2013-Present
  • 12' walk around rescue

2018 Spartan Metro Star LFD / Fort Garry Pumper (Engine 8)

Working on getting a photo

Builder Fort Garry Fire Trucks, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Serial # M891
Pump Test Date June 20th, 2018
Pump GPM 1500 GPM (Imperial), with Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS)
Tank Size 800 Imperial Gallons, 30 Gallon Foam Cell
In Service From 2018-Pres
  • This truck replaces Engine 4

We acknolwedge the financial assistance from the Province of British Columbia & the City of Duncan