Museum (DUP) Motorization
Motorization
In September of 1920, the Sentinel-Review reported the arrival of two new fire trucks for the local fire department, manufactured by the local Bickle Company. The first one, a combination chemical and hose truck, was delivered on September 10, 1920. It had a Republic 55 chassis with a Red Seal engine and would normally carry six men plus chemicals and regular hose.
Bickle Republic Combination built 1920
The truck was driven through the city with 14 passengers including the Mayor and several aldermen, as well as the fire chief and assistant chief. It was taken to the Karn Street (Bower Hill) hill to be tested and managed the climb quite well, with power to spare. On the level, the truck reached 30 miles per hour.
The second truck was completed in the next 30 days. It carried ladders, a chemical tank and other equipment. The fire chief asked that when these trucks were responding to fires and the siren was heard, all other traffic clear the roadways.
From Left to Right:
- Smooth Bore Nozzle – used by Woodstock Fire Department, early 1960’s to 1980’s
- Smooth Bore Nozzle with piece of hose – used by Woodstock Fire Department, 1960’s to 1980’s
- Fog Nozzle – used by Woodstock Fire Department, 1990’s
- Fire Hose – used on hand drawn cart at Oxford Regional Centre, 1920
- Smooth Bore Nozzle – with “Underwriters” written on the side used on hand drawn cart at Oxford Regional Centre, 1920
- Smooth Bore Nozzle – used by Woodstock Fire Department, 1900’s
- Tri-Hydrant Adaptor – used by Woodstock Fire Department to split hydrant water to three hoses, 1990’s
- Fire Hose Couplings – used by Woodstock Fire Department with rubber hose, Present Day
On December 13, 1920, at about 10 a.m., the new equipment was put to the test at a fire at the Sentinel-Review in the bindery department on the third floor. The glue in the bindery caught fire from a gas jet used to heat the glue in the process of putting gold leaf on some bibles. The bibles and other magazines and paper supplies were destroyed, causing about $10,000 damage. Much of the damage was done by the water running through to the lower floors.
Trucks and Equipment
The first motorized vehicles came in September of 1920, but there was no pumper to give water pressure in the hose. When an alarm came in, the firemen had to press a button at the fire hall, which gave a signal to waterworks to put on extra pressure at the city’s mains.
In early January 1927, there was great hope for a new pumper for the fire department to be paid for from the Waterworks’ surplus budget. Mayor Parker pointed out that such a pumper at the fire at Central Church had been a great help. In February 1929, a contract was signed between the City of Woodstock and the Bickle Fire Engine Company for a triple combination pumper with extras, at a cost of $12,000.
By 1944, the trucks that were owned by the department were a 1929 Bickle Pumper, 1920 Bickle Republic Combination and a 1939 Bickle-Seagrave aerial ladder truck.
Bickle Pumper built 1929
Bickle-Seagrave aerial ladder truck built 1939
New Fire Trucks
In 1952, the City of Woodstock purchased a new pumper truck from Bickle-Seagrave.
Bickle-Seagrave Pumper built 1957
In May of 1957, the city council was still discussing the need for another new fire truck for the city fire department. The fire truck tender from the Woodstock company of King-Seagrave was accepted by city council at a cost of $26,296. It was with great joy that the new pumper was received on December 21. The mayor and several aldermen went for a test drive from the plant down Dundas Street to the fire hall.
In July 1975, the department acquired a new Squirt truck from King-Seagrave. By April 29, 1967, a motor boat and water rescue equipment were available and the men were doing regular training to practice their use.
