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The Evolution of Aerial Fire Apparatus

ON THE BOOK SHELF

 

By John M. Malecky                                                                      August, 2025

 

 

The Evolution of Aerial Fire Apparatus

An Iconografix Book

By Walter P. McCall

 

Available from:

FSP Books

433 Main Street,. Suite 2A

Hudson, MA 01749

1-800-522-8528

E-mail: support@fire-police-ems.com

www.fire-police-ems.com

 

Price: $32.95

 

This is a soft covered book measuring 8 inches by 11 inches and has 158 pages. The author in my opinion ( and of many others) is an expert in fire apparatus. He is also the author of American Fire Engines Since 1900 and other outstanding books. This  has 11 chapters plus an appendix and color gallery. The rest of the outstanding photos in the book are black and white. I would strongly suggest that you, the reader look over the Forward before starting to delve into this book. It has a wealth of information with many surprising facts within it. Eight of the chapters are divided into 10 years each with the tenth chapter including the years 1990 through 2000’s. Chapter 3 is devoted to the hydraulics and steel and Chapter 11 is devoted to the water tower, the class later known as the elevating platform. At the end of Chapter 10 on page 124 is a list of eight aerial devices that were on the market in 2008, 141 years after Daniel D. Hayes introduced the first successful mass produced aerial ladder in the United States. This was done in San Francisco where he had become an SFFD machinist.. However this information is within the Forward of the book so I will not go any further, but let you read it. I cannot emphasize enough about how may interesting an rare apparatus are in the photos. If you are a fan of fire apparatus, this book is a must for you! .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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JOHN MALECKYSenior Columnist

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