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Recent
& Archived Local News of the IAFF # 165
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Piece
of AFD history returns
ASHTABULA — In 1930,
according to a
newspaper
article, Ashtabula City Council was happy to purchase a new mechanized aerial
fire fighting vehicle.
In 2003, Ashtabula
Fire Department Capt. Jeff Gianantonio was happy to get the 73-year-old Seagrave
engine started.
"It took a
whole lot of tinkering, but it's working," Gianantonio said, taking a wide,
slow turn from Elm Avenue to Center Street. He raised his hand and smiled to
thank visibly astonished motorists for their cooperation.
Gianantonio, like
most AFD firefighters, is interested in pieces of history. Ashtabula Township
resident Harold Osten owned the 1930 Seagrave engine since soon after it was
removed from service in the early 1960s. The department already had the ladder
trailer that was once attached to the engine and had been looking for a way to
facilitate the vehicle's donation. Gianantonio and other firefighters formed a
nonprofit corporation to collect department historical artifacts to preserve
them.
Since the vehicle
left the city's service, it hasn't spent much time on the road. Fire Chief Rick
Balog and Engineer Ken Sweet (who followed the engine on its Wednesday afternoon
jaunt around downtown, since it has no brake lights) said Gianantonio had been
trying to get the engine to start all week. The carburetor, Balog and Sweet
said, gave Gianantonio the most frustration. A new battery was strapped to the
platform leading to the passenger seat and a plastic gasoline can sat behind the
seats.
The engine looks
like it has been sitting in a barn or garage for about 40 years with its worn
paint and dingy framework. There are still hints of the symbolic pride the city
took in the engine. Balog pointed out faded oval crests on the engine. On the
right side, the car ferry from the 1850s that served the city was proudly
painted. On the left side, the Ashtabula steamer and oarboat are pictured.
"This is a
lot harder to drive than a modern vehicle," Gianantonio said. He spun the
large wheel several times to make a right-hand turn, shifting gears using large
levers on either side of the driver's seat. As he pulled into the City Hall
parking lot, the odometer read 857 miles. It has never been reset. Gianantonio
guessed the engine's top speed is between 40 and 50 mph, but he did not
accelerate the open-top vehicle past 10 mph.
Right now, the
plan is to raise money to restore the engine to its original condition, Balog
and Gianantonio said. Costs are estimated at $15,000 to $20,000. Residents not
lucky enough to see the vehicle's joyride on Wednesday will be able to catch it
on display or in upcoming parades.
"We're glad
to have this vehicle," Gianantonio said. "We hope, through our
nonprofit organization, to be able to keep fire department history alive."
Negotiations to start to
give haz-mat
home at old Harbor fire station
Fire damages
Apartment Complex October 24, 2002
Teen drives car into pond June 6, 2002
2 House Fires
within hours May 30, 2002
ASHTABULA FIREFIGHTERS battle a fire about 3:30 a.m.
Tuesday November 19th at 244 Marion Drive.
2 left homeless in morning blaze
ASHTABULA - Donald Riley was fortunate to be awake and watching television
early Monday morning.
Riley's home, at 244 Marion Drive, was destroyed by an early-morning fire.
Both Riley and his wife, Elaine, were able to escape safely, Capt. Gerald
Senger of the Ashtabula Fire Department said. The home's smoke detector was
not in working condition at the time of the fire.
The fire department was dispatched to the scene at 3:09 a.m. Monday, Senger
said. By the time crews arrived, the home was "very heavily involved" by
fire, Senger said. Ten city firefighters and four Ashtabula Township
firefighters had the fire under control after about 30 minutes, and the last
crews left at 5:30 a.m.
"It was kind of tough to put out the fire," Senger said. "After we had it
under control, it was still smoldering and buried. We really had to dig out
the hot spots."
Senger said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but added
there is nothing suspicious about it. Monday afternoon, he was unable to
pinpoint where the fire had started and how quickly it had spread. When
crews got on the scene, Senger said the front half of the house and the
exterior had received the most damage.
Monday afternoon, Senger said the house was a total loss and investigated
damages at $25,000 to $30,000. The Rileys, who lived in the house since
1994, did not have fire insurance. Senger said they went to the Ashtabula
County Red Cross for emergency assistance.
When the fire started, Senger said Donald Riley was awake and saw smoke. He
went to investigate, realized the house was burning and escaped with his
wife and dog,Caidee.
Senger said the battery had been removed from the smoke alarm because the
Rileys said it often sounded for no reason.
"The problem with that (removing the battery) is that you don't have the
smoke detector working when you need it," Senger said. "...Even though it
takes away the inconvenience from false alarms, you're really putting
yourself at risk by taking out the battery."
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