1939 Seagrave K Squad/ Squad 1

1939 Seagrave K Squad/ Squad 1

In 1939, Youngstown purchased a Seagrave K model, company cab squad truck to run out of Station 4 on Falls Ave. The truck was top-of-the-line when it was first introduced, and featured a rear-mounted turret pipe, portable floodlights, and an art-deco wigwag warning light on the roof. On Christmas morning, December 25, 1945, the history of this truck would be forever tainted in the memories of Youngstown firefighters when, while responding to an alarm, it hit a piece of ice on Oak Hill, and bounced off of two light poles. Two firefighters happened to be riding the rear tailstep on this call, and as the truck hit the poles, they were thrown into a wall. FF William Jackson and FF Hank Lewis were killed as a result of this crash. Squad 1 was repaired and remained in service as the active squad truck until 1959 when it was replaced with a 1959 Seagrave Safety Squad. It is possible this truck remained in service even later, possibly into the 1970's as a foam unit or supply truck. This trucks serial number is A2425. (Note: This truck is for sale, but in need of a good restoration. Contact the webmaster for details.)

Photo courtesy Tim Jones, of Frederick, Maryland.