Fire Apparats Preservation Award

San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District

for the restoration of their

1930

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Autocar

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500 GPM pumper and hose car

San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District – Danville/San Ramon, CA

This 1930 Autocar 500 GPM pumper and hose car was the first pumper of the volunteer fire department in Danville, CA. Danville had two earllier motorized hose wagons on commercial truck chassis, purchased in 1921 and 1925. The Autocar was bought new for $7,000, and was placed in service in June, 1930. Danville built three 12,000-gallon water tanks and one 5,000-gallon water tank, at various strategic places around town, as a water source for this pumper to draft from. A.M. Fichtenmueller was the fire chief in Danville at that time. The 1921 and 1925 hose wagons were replaced in by a new mid-1930s punper on a Ford V-8, and a chemical and hose car on a 1936 Chevrolet chassis. Danville bought four new Van Pelt punpers on International Harvester chassis, one each in 1961, 1964, 1968, and 1975. One of these - probably the 1961 - replaced this 1930 Autocar, which was then sold, and the Autocar went through several private owners over the next approximately 60 years. On July 1, 1980, Danville Volunteer Fire Department was consolidated into San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District (SRVFPD). In 2022, SRVFPD re-acquired Danville's first pumper, and completed its mechanical and cosmetic restoration in 2023. It has been active in local parades, car shows, and civic events ever since the restoration was completed. The q930 Autocar is slkated to participate in the Van Pelt Chapter muster at Mountain View, CA, May 18, 2024, and in the Mountain View Fire Departnent 150th Anniversary parade the following day. Motion to nominate SRVFPD for a SPAAMFAA Preservation Award was made by Michael Gilliam, a director of the Van Pelt Chapter of SPAAMFAA. Seconded by Van Pelt Chapter President Ed Rominger. All in favor. Motion carried. Ed Hass, Van Pelt Chapter Secretary, who is also Distroct 3 Trusree, submitted this nomination to the National SPAAMFAA Board, on behalf of the Van Pelt Chapter.