Fire Apparatus

"Old 93" American-LaFrance Tractor-Steamer

This “hybrid” pumper, a coal-fired steam engine drawn by a gasoline powered front-drive tractor, illustrates the transition from horse-drawn to motorized apparatus. The steamer was a well proven technology and the FDNY was not willing to completely risk the safety of the city on the relatively new technology of the gasoline engine. "Old 93" was first issued to FDNY Engine Company No. 93 in 1913.

Brooklyn Engine Co. No. 8

This 1901 La France coal-fired steam engine was horse drawn and could pump 700 gallons per minute. Steam powered pumpers were not widely accepted by the volunteer fire department, but became standard when the paid department was established in 1865. 

Engine Co. 246

Manufactured by American La France, “Type 75” 700 GPM motorized pumpers were the principal rigs to replace FDNY’s horse-drawn pumpers. The first set arrived in 1917, and, by the late 1920s, almost every engine company was equipped with one.

Farnam pumper

Manufactured by D.L. Farnam, this type of pumper was sold as a village or factory fire engine because it was lightweight and could be worked by few men. This pumper was used in Staten Island during the mid-1800s when Staten Island was a rural community that didn’t have or require the same manpower as was needed to fight fires in Manhattan.

Bolton Quickstep

Used in the town of Bolton, Massachusetts, this “sidewinder” style hand pumped fire engine was built circa 1820 and is the museum’s oldest fire engine.

Hingham Vet

This squirrel-tail pumper, named for the characteristic shape of the suction hose, was built in 1856 and originally known as Ocean 1. When the Hingham Veteran Firemen's Association purchased the pumper, it became the “Hingham Vet” and was used to throw water in muster competitions.

Tiger Hose No. 8

Manufactured by Pine and Hartshorn, this hose reel was used by Astoria Hose Company No. 8 of the Long Island City Fire Department, which became part of the FDNY in 1898. This reel uses 4-wheel steering and a patented running gear which enables the carriage to make tighter turns.