BCFD Fire Factory

History of Engine Company 33

Place inservice January 1, 1908 at 1200 hrs., G.O.# 502. Located at the quarters of Hook & Ladder #5 at Harford Ave. and Oliver St.

The first response for the company was box 2622 on January 1, 1908 at 18:11 hrs. The company was orignally placed inservice with three horses, and received a Christie tractor on June 29, 1916.

Engine 33 was relocated from the quarters of Hook & Ladder #5 on March 18, 1919, G.O. 20-19, to the quarters formerly occupied by Hook & Ladder #14 at 1749 Gorsuch Ave. The Gorsuch Ave. quarters was used in the filming of "Ladder 49."

On March 9, 2000 Engine 33 was once again relocated to their present location at 801 E. 25th St. They are once again quartered with Truck Company 5 in a brand new station.

 801 E. 25th St.

History of Truck Company #5

April 1, 1887 Hook & Ladder #5 was organized.  H&L #5 was located on the East Side of the 1400 block of Aisquith Street.  Our first apparatus was a Hayes Aerial single bank ladder truck with a 65 foot aerial, built by LaFrance Company.  It carried two fire extinguishers, an assortment of ladders, and was drawn by two horses.  The men were assigned in the following fashion.  The "Hostler" drove the horses, then would return to quarters to bring the fuel wagon to the fire.  The "Tillerman" tillered the rear wheels and climbed the ladder after the Lt.  The Lt. rode the sidestep and was the first to climb the ladder.  The "Ladderman" rode the other sidestep.

The terms "tillerman" and "stepman" still are used today.  The forth man on the ladder truck is referred to as "riding the step" a reminder of our yesterdays.

June 1, 1903, Truck 5 was stationed with Engine Company #19 located at North Avenue & Bond Street.

November 27, 1905 Truck 5 relocates to 1220 East Oliver Street, on the corner of Harford Road.

March 9, 2000 Truck 5 relocates to 801 East 25th Street, where it remains today with Engine 33, and a few members from Harford & Oliver.

Some Noteworthy Early Responses

December 27th 1895 at 2001 hrs Box 213 was struck out for an ignited gas main.  "Cries of FIRE" caused panic in the Front Street Theatre.  A stampede casued 23 deaths and 40 injuries.

February 23, 1896 0821 hrs Box 345 was struck out for a dwelling fire at 1806 North Charles Street.  The Laddermen raised the aerial ladder to the third floor and rescued a woman.  All men were praised for a "thrilling feat" accomplished during and in the most adverse conditions imaginable.

September 23, 1896 2122 hrs while responding to Box 245 at the State Penitentiary Shoe Factory, H&L #5 overturned on Greenmount Avenue near Biddle Street.  Ladderman Howard E. curry lost his left leg, Probationer George Thompson and Substitute Ladderman William S. Couzens were severely wounded, Capt. thomas Strahler was thrown from the apparatus, and Lt. Lawrence Blake was dragged along the street until the horses stopped.

October 29 1901 Captain Franklin A. Teal was found guilty of "unnecessarily and without orders partially destroying the ceiling of a third floor front room at 1544 N. Gay Street.  He was reduced to the rank of Ladderman and reassigned immediately.

February 7-8 1904 "The Day of the Big Fire" (as was printed in the company journal)  Box 41 John E. Hurst and company German and Liberty Streets.

Truck 5 Members Lost in the Line of Duty

Hostler William Quinn

May 11, 1914 at 1801 hrs. while responding on Box 2124, Truck 5 was traveling south on Central Avuen swinging left on Eager Street.  Hostler Quinn tried to stop the galloping horses to avoid playing children, when he collapsed.  Tillerman Joseph McGuinn instructed Ladderman B.W. Stansbury to take control of the tiller wheel.  McGuinn then climbed down the aerial ladder, and managed to get control of the horses.  Hostler William Quinn died after giving 27 years of service to the BCFD, all of his years served at Truck 5.

Ladderman William Halloroan

April 17 1915 at 1100 hrs. while responding on Box 246 Truck 5 collided with Batt. Chief 8 at Central Avenue and Eager Street.  Ladderman Halloroan was killed when he was thrown from the apparatus.  Ladderman B.W. Stansbury suffered a broken limb, and other members were treated for shock.

Firefighter James Grahe

December 3, 1967 at 1920 hrs. while responding on box 8268 Truck 5 was involved in an accident at Harford Avenue & North Avenue.  Grahe died from his injuries sustained in the accident, the next day.  It turned out to be a false alarm.

May our fallen brothers watch over us