CONNECTICUT FIRE APPARATUS PHOTOGRAPHY
ALL 169 CITIES AND TOWNS COMPLETED

KEVIN R. MCKEON RETIRED FIRE LIEUTENANT                                          
PHOTOGRAPHER / AUTHOR - CONNECTICUT FIRE APPARATUS PHOTO ALBUM VOLUMES 1,2 & 3
THE CONNECTICUT FIRE APPARATUS PHOTO PROJECT-BEGINNING IN 1976
                                                          
                                                                 
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PHOTOS-PAGE 1-- SIGNIFICANT VIEWS FROM MY FIRST WEBSITE
ALL PHOTOGRAPHS COPYRIGHT KEVIN MCKEON - NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION.

 
 
 Here is a scene in front of the West Shore Fire Headquarters. on the right is Engine 31, the rig I work on. It is a 1993 Pierce Arrow pumper with a 1500 gallon per minute centrifugal pump and a 700 gallon water tank and a 50 gallon foam tank. On the left is Rescue 34 a 2000 Freightliner / KME Heavy rescue. It serves as the ALS unit for the District and a Technical Rescue vehicle. I photographed this scene in 2005.
 
 
 On July 11th 2007, after a year of intensive work and research was completed by me, the State of Connecticut Department of Culture and Tourism awarded the firehouse I work in the coveted title of State of Connecticut Historic Building. This is a dream realized.

This is the West Shore Fire Headquarters in the city of West Haven, my "home away from home" for 30 years and where I am employed as a Fire Lieutenant. I have compiled information over the years on this edifice and I thought that it was about time that it should be recognized.

It was built in 1936 by the WPA and stands in a salient position in the West Shore area across from Long Island Sound. I hope to next have it recognized on the National Register of Historic places.

The photo you see here was shot by me on a July morning in 1977. It is one of my earliest photographs as I started my fire apparatus photograph hobby and it remains as one of my sentimental favorites. It shows 3 apparatus on the front apron (L-to R:) Engine 31, a 1948 Americam LaFrance 750gpm pumper/ 300 gallon water tank, Engine 32 in the center, a 1957 American LaFrance 750gpm pumper / 500water tank, and on the right,as you see it, a 1951 Diamond-T/ Maxim 500 gpm pumper/ 500 Gallon water tank. This rig was purchased at the time with Civil Defense Funds.

I have several members of my family who work here or are members here. I earn my living in this building and know its' history. Recognition by the state is more than I could have ever asked for.

My father George F. McKeon, (an honorary member of the Department and a moderator for the Fire Commission ) will help me dedicate a plaque honoring this building. It will be in memory of his father and my grandfather, Edward J. McKeon Sr., himself a life member of the West Shore Fire Department and a volunteer Firefighter and utility driver of apparatus.

The plaque will read as follows: 
    
         WEST SHORE
     FIRE  HEADQUARTERS
   ______________________
Connecticut Historical Landmark
   Awarded  July 11th, 2007
  _________________________
     Lt. Kevin R. McKeon
in memory of Edward J. McKeon , Sr.
 
 I also like to photograph old firehouses. I usually prefer, if the sunlight Allows, to shoot the rig in front of quarters. After I shot the portrait of this Engine, I got a great shot of it backing into this classic station. This is The Fitton Hose Company of the Rockville section of the town of Vernon. Engine 541 is 1989 Sutphen/ Ranger 1500/1000(D). Interestingly, this Station once had a bowling alley in the basement, which was eliminated When the building underwent extensive renovation.
 
I photographed this view of newly acquired Engine 15 at the New Haven apparatus repair shop as it was being prepared for service at the Fountain Street station July 2007.  It is a 2007 Pierce Dash 1250/500 (D)
 
 I always like to get a photo of me or my family or our dogs in front of the Trucks I shoot in the state to show that we have been to the location. So, after I finish positioning and photographing the apparatus I need, I do a family Photo with the apparatus or firehouse as a background by turning the camera over someone or use a tripod to get my "self portrait" , here I am with my  dog Duffy in front of Colchester Enginetank 128, a 2001 HME/Central 2000/1000(D). My brother-in Law Ron, who frequently travels along with me on my picture taking excursions took this portrait.
  
 Engine 1, a 1999 E1 1500/500(D) pumper is parked in front of the Greenwich Fire Headquarters In downtown Greenwich. Built in 1939, this landmark art deco fortress houses the The career fire department, three volunteer fire companies and the Greenwich Police Department. Art deco is my favorite style of art and architecture and a very few Firehouses in Connecticut utilize this style. I shot this view in 2001. See the top of page 28 in Volume 3, another one of my photos of this impressive edifice has Engine 8 parked in front.
 
 This rig should look familiar. It is on the cover of Volume 1. It is a Seagrave 750 gpm Deluge Wagon which was built and modified from a pumper body and chassis. It has 2 large deck monitors and 4 portable master stream appliances. Along with all necessary hose, appliances and tools. It still serves the city of New Haven Fire Department. I photographed this truck in July of 1987 and placed this very picture on the cover.
 
 I have often stated that fire engines can be works of art. As can be seen by this view I photographed recently. This shows Fairfield Engine 3 in front of quarters. The flowering trees of Spring and classic old firehouse make an inspiring scene. The engine is a 2007 Ferrara 1500 gpm/ with a 500 gallon water tank.
  
 I photographed these 2 rigs in front of the cavernous Cheshire Fire Headquarters building. In the forefront is Engine 2, a 2006 Pierce 1250/750/50gft (D). Engine 5 in the background is a 2001 Pierce 1250/750/50gft (D).
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 These 2 rigs serve the Haddam Neck Fire Co. in the Town of Haddam. Engine 1 on the left is a 1985 Kenworth / FMC 1250/100 (D). This engine appeared in Volume 1 on page 82, I photographed it then on it's delivery day. Engine 2, on the right, is a 1997 Ford Central 1250/1600/90 gft (D). It is featured in Volume 3, page 64.
 
 The town of Newington is a good Pierce customer. I photographed this newly delivered 2006 Kenworth/Pierce rescue assigned to Tactical Unit 2 at Station 2.
 
The Moosup Fire District in the town of Plainfield has always had some interesting apparatus, as well as an Interesting name. This is Enginetank 294 a 1991 Grumman 2000 / 3000 (D) a really sleek looking low-profile rig. I photographed this on a beautiful spring afternoon in beautiful downtown Moosup.

 
Engine 82 of Bethany was once operated by the First Fire District in West Haven in 1992 it had a 1000 gallon tank retrofitted. It is a 1973 Hahn 1500 / 1000(D). It was nice to see this well worn pumper Get a new lease on life, I photographed it shortly after its refurbishment.

 
Here you can see Duffy again, this time I photographed him sitting In the jumpseat of Engine 1 of Rocky Hill, a 1986 Pierce Arrow 1750/750/150gft(D). You can view this nice looking rig on page 38 of volume 1.
 
The Fire Dept. shop forces in Norwalk led by Master Mechanic Scott Plank are Very progressive and innovative. I was fortunate to shoot this interesting truck In the fall of 2006. This is Hazmat 2, a tractor-trailer rig with a 1987 Pemfab cab Which was a former pumper now utilized as the tractor for the 2004 Centennial trailer. Take a look at page 19 of volume 2 to see my shot of this pumper before this very impressive transformation.
 
 Here is Engine 2, a 1996 Mack/ Saulsbury 1500/500 (D) pumper in front of quarters. I shot this rig with the full station view as shown and a close up of it which is on page 35 of Volume 3. This station has undergone extensive renovation since I took this photo and the pumper has been reassigned to Engine 16.
 
This is Engine 9 of the Indian Neck-Pine Orchard Fire Company. The two fire companies merged in 1998. I photographed this rig twice. On its’ delivery day in 2001. The second time in October 2007, its bright yellow paint scheme with red lettering and mural make for a striking photo.
  I photographed this 1978 Mack 1250/500/50' telesqurt in 1981 and 1987 after its refurbishment. I shot it for a third time in September 2007 while I was being filmed For “Positively Connecticut”with Diane Smith,a quarterly TV show about all things Connecticut. She wanted to interview me about my Connecticut fire apparatus photo hobby and my books, her producer, Michele Russo and a film crew went along with me on one of my photo runs.The show with my segment premiered on Nov 19th 2007 and ran
for about 3 months.

 

 
Rescue 4 of the Ansonia Rescue Services is a 1988 GMC/ E-One (D). This nice looking Blue and white truck is a lighting and generator rig. I photographed it when it was lettered for the Ansonia Civil Defense and I photographed it as shown here when re-lettered for the Ansonia Rescue Service. The Ansonia Rescue service runs an ALS ambulance and several mass casualty Vehicles and fire ground support apparatus. Each of my 3 Connecticut Fire Apparatus books has Ansonia Rescue Service rigs.
 
 On page 65 of Volume 3, I shot a great looking 1958 B- model Mack 750 / 500 pumper from the town of Middlefield. After I took the photo, I posed my kids in front of the rig, this was in 1997. They sure have grown.
 
Here is another very elegant art-deco firehouse, this is Stamford Engine 4's quarters. I believe this structure was built in 1940, but I’m not sure. The flag is at half mast, I shot this view the week President Reagan passed away.
 
I photographed this scene in front of the Nichols Fire District Headquarters in the town Of Trumbull. From left to right; Engine 301, a 2005 Seagrave 1500/ 1000 (D), Rescue 300, 1991 Ottawa/ Beck 1500/ 800/ 90gft ( featured in Volume 3, page24 ), And Truck 304 a 1982 Hahn,/Providence/Modular city service ladder and fireground Support vehicle with foam and an air cascade system ( featured in Volume 1, page 25 ).  
 
This 1998 Spartan / US Tank 1250/ 750/30gft (D) is assigned to Engine 952 at the Headquarters station in Clinton. I photographed This rig shortly after delivery.It appears on page 66 of volume 3.
 
 
Here is a photo I took in 1980,in my early days of apparatus photography. Watertown Engine 1 is a 1969 Mack 1250 / 500 CF 600. I also photographed this rig in 1986 after its refurbishment by the Gowans Knight Co. (See Volume 1, page 78.). At the time all Watertown apparatus was painted in this unusual color called "Swift Red", a kind of a 'bleached out' red-orange shade which you really had to see in person, it was definitely different.
 
This truck has an interesting history. It is a 1980 Mack 95’ tower ladder that served the city of Hartford. It was delivered with a single rear axle, then in 1994, it was extensively Refurbished by Middleboro and had a non powered tag axle added. It was ultimately Sold to the town of Willington Fire Dept. I photographed it in Hartford in 1983 And I then shot it as shown here in Willington in April of 2007.




















Content copyright . Kevin R. McKeon, Connecticut Fire Apparatus. All rights reserved.
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