Webster Fire Department - Equipment From The Past
 
By NEJFD Executive Director Steven C. Small
June 2, 2024
 

Recently, some historical photos and blueprints surfaced of the Webster Volunteer Fire Department’s 1953 and 1959 Seagrave pumpers. Scanned copies of the original specification blueprint plans for both trucks are attached to this story. The plans are hand drawn and extremely rudimentary compared to today’s complex CAD drawings. Both rigs were fairly ‘modern’ for the time period.

The 1953 Seagrave was equipped with a high-pressure rolling pump. This allowed the engine to pump water and roll (move) at the same time. The 1959 Seagrave, the one without a roof, was nicknamed the “Chrome Dome”. The Chrome Dome, E101, was in service until the mid-1980’s. This truck was equipped with a 12-cylinder engine with many redundancies including 24 spark plugs, 2 distributers and dual carburetors. (But again, no roof!)

A big thank you goes out to Past Chiefs Gene Miller and Bill Southwell, along with Jeff & Sandy Thayer for providing the photos, blueprints, and information for this story. The blueprints and photos were the property of former Webster Volunteer Firefighter, the late John Servis. The information in this story is believed to be accurate, however it has gone through a few personal interpretations. Many of our more mature members will be able to clarify and expound upon the history of these two pieces of apparatus. Also included is a photo of a young Joe Enderlin and friends. The late Joe Enderlin is a formidable Past Chief of the Webster Volunteer Fire Department, and the man who the District’s main station at 35 South Avenue in the Village of Webster is named in honor of. The District is planning on having some of the pictures professionally framed and proudly displayed at the Enderlin Station.

 
Attachments:
Attachment 1953 Seagrave Pumper Plans Circa 1951.PDF  (1,989k)
Attachment 1959 Seagrave Pumper Plans Circa 1957.PDF  (1,936k)