IFD 19 Retired
Read MoreEngine 19 - 1969 Maxim F Pumper - 1000gpm/500gal - Maxim #2737
This rig entered service at the 14's on May 14, 1969. It moved to the 19's in 1976, to reserve 1986. Sold at auction on June 5, 1993 for $1,900. In Septmeber 1993, it was sold to Dorsey Paving in Indianapolis by an individual who bought it at the auction.
Truck 19 - 1966 GMC 5000/IFD Custom - City Service Truck
Like many larger metropolitan areas, IFD ran several "City Service Trucks" instead of today's Aerial Ladder/Truck companies. Each of these trucks carried ground ladders that would allow quick access to most homes and shorter buildings in Indianapolis. Back then, there were far fewer "aerial" truck companies due to cost and maintenance. However, you will notice that many of these apparatus lasted nearly 20 years as proven by these photos. To qualify as a ladder truck, a vehicle only needs 163 feet / 115 feet (pre/post 1999 NFPA standard) of ground ladders. Most modern apparatus carry more, but that is the minimum. There is no requirement for an aerial device although that is common. These simple ladder trucks are typically called City Service Trucks or simply Service Trucks.
Aerial Truck 19 - 1986 Duplex/Thibault 100' Aerial Tower #4556-86
Photo by Matt Woods. Aerial Truck #19 entered service at the 13's in 1987. It was reassigned to the 29's (as Truck 4) on May 13, 1991. It moved to the 19's (as Truck 4, at their new station) on March 31, 1992. It was briefly assigned as a reserve in April 1995 before heading to the 22's in August 1995. It moved back to the 19's (as Truck 19) on September 16, 1997. With the aerial bucket missing, it was sold at auction, in November 2002 for a mere $2,800!.
Engine 19 - 1999 Pierce Lance II Pumper - 1500gpm /500gal/40gal foam
In 2006, it was determined that having plated numbers on the grills of the rigs might restrict airflow and nullify certain warranties of the trucks. Therefore, all numbers were removed. Some companies choose to place new numbers and graphics on the front of their rigs as shown here compared to the picture above.
Ladder 19 - 2001 American LaFrance Eagle/LTI 102' Aerial Tower
Ladder 19 was one of three identical LTI Tower Ladders along with Ladders 6 and 10 that were purchased by the department in 2001. Ladder 19 was the last to serve in frontline service but was finally retired in 2016. It was eventually replaced by a new Pierce Aerial Tower in June 2018.
IFD Station 19 - 1004 South White River Parkway at I-70 - Near Southwest Side
Opened on March 31, 1992, this building replaced their previous station on 1445 West Morris Street. One nice feature of this station was a drive-though bay for the ladder truck. However, the curved driveway into the back of the station was spec'd for 19's previous 40' long truck and not the current 48' American LaFrance, which is unfortunately too long to make the turn.