On February 19, 1973 the Quincy Fire Dept placed in service a 1972 Ward LaFrance 1000 GPM pump with a 500 gallon tank. It was designated as Engine B and it replaced Hose 1 at headquarters. The "Ward" was the first Engine in the city to be delivered with a diesel engine and an automatic transmission. It was also the first pump of many to be purchased during the administration of Chief Edward F. Barry. As Engine B the Ward responded with Engine 1 on all there first due assignments in much the same way as Hose 1 did. After a while Engine 1 and Engine B would alternate being the first out engine for a week at a time. After only a few years in service the body of the Ward began to show signs of rot and was replaced with a new body.
The Ward ran as Engine B until 1984 when two new Emergency One Hurricane ’s with 1500 GPM pumps and 500 gallon tanks were placed in service at Engine B and Engine 3. At that time the Ward was then reassigned to Engine 2 in the North Quincy section of the city. In 1985 two more Emergency One Hurricane’ s with 1500 GPM pumps and 500 gallon tanks were purchased for Engine 6 and Engine 7. At that time it was discovered that the 1985 E One that was bought to replace the "Classic" 1961 Anniversary Seagrave was just a little bigger than what they planned for…So the Ward was temporarily reassigned to Engine 7 and the E One to Engine 2 until Engine 7’s station was "rehabbed" to accommodate the new E One. After the work at Engine 7’s house was complete the Ward returned to North Quincy. While running as Engine 2 the Ward was re powered with a 671 Detroit that was first used to re power Engine 6’s former 1960 Seagrave ….They got their money out of that motor. The Ward ran as Engine 2 until 1990 when an E One with a 1500 GPM pump and 500 gallon tank was place in service at Engine 2. At that time the Ward had an in house "referb" done by the department mechanics.
After the top of the cab was painted white , back step shortened , new warning lights added and some body work, the Ward went in service at Engine 5. It would remain at Engine 5 until 1994 when a KME with a 1250 GPM pump and a 750 gallon tank was placed in service. At that time it would become a spare, "Engine 9". After running as a spare for a few years the Department mechanics started to do another in house referb. The Ward would be re wired and it’s pump panel would have new gauges installed and more body work would be done. After work was begun it was found that it would not be "cost effective" to continue with the work…. So the 1000 GPM Hale pump and pump panel (with new gauges) are now a teaching prop at the departments drill school. The 671 Detroit was yet again salvage along with the Allison automatic…you never know when your going to need one. The rest went to a local junk yard and was scrapped around 1998...adding yet another chapter to "Gone But Not Forgotten".........
All photos provided by Mike Worley
The Ward LaFrance on the apron of Headquarters 1973.
The "Ward" during a pump test at the Granite Rail Quarry.
The "Ward" as Engine 2 at working fire on Farrington Street 1989.
The "Ward" as Engine 7 being "Backed Out" at a multiple on Victory Road.
The "Ward" as Engine 5 at 3rd alarm on Presidents Ave.