ALF Ladder History – In 1923, along with 2 ALF Engines, the City of Tucson purchased a 75 foot aerial ladder truck from American LaFrance in Elmira, New York, for $14,500. The ladder was housed at the Central Fire Station on south 6th Avenue, and served a population of 29,000 residents. The city had but three fire stations which were manned with a total of 29 firefighters. The truck weighed 10 tons and was capable of speeds of 35 mph. At the time, the 75 foot aerial ladder was able to reach the roof garden of the Santa Rita Hotel, the tallest building in the city.
The aerial truck remained in active service until 1949, when it was put in reserve storage. It also did time on loan to Tucson Airport. In 1958 it was retired, surplused, titled and placed for sale. It sold in 1959 for $600 and ended up in Flagstaff. The truck’s history after that point is uncertain. It was at NAU for some time, either belonging to the Industrial Arts Dept or a Fraternity, or possibly both. The Rig was spotted in the 1968 homecoming parade. The rig was seen periodically around Flagstaff for some time.
The rig then ended up in the back lot of a convenience store east of town, where it sat for many years.
Around 2001, James Timney of Summit Fire was notified that the rig was going to be scrapped unless he wanted it. James rescued the ladder truck and took it home. In pursuing the history of the truck, James found that the truck was 1st titled by COT in 1958, and that the title was never transferred after the 1959 sale. With help from Jim Russel and Marlin Price, the original title was located. James then titled the truck to himself.
In 2004, James gifted the rig back to Tucson, where the rig received its third title in its history, back to COT.
In 2010, the remnants of the Ahrens Fox Restoration Crew began a restoration, however, this project was quickly abandoned when the sister engine became available.
In June of 2015, after completion of the ALF Engine, the volunteers, retired firefighters and paramedics, started restoration of the aerial ladder truck in earnest. It is anticipated the truck will be completed by the end of the year, 2021. The restoration team members listed alphabetically are: Jeff Corey, Chuck Damerow*, Larry Eaglen, Brian Fitzgerald, Ted Geare, John Roads, Lee Sebring*, Jay Smith, Chuck Thim, Steve Ellis, Don Uthe, Todd Vossler. *Deceased – see the crew memorial page. The rig was completed in 2022 and is currently on display at the “Rolling Thru Time” Auto Museum and is road worthy for specific functions.