The department was extremely proud of this 1926 International Combination Chemical and Hose Car. It served Bower Hill until 1944. This builder's photo of this vehicle was used by International in its advertising literature in 1927, and also appears on page 99 of the book American Fire Engines Since 1900 by Walter McCall. (Photo used with permission, courtesy of: Wisconsin Historical Society, Image ID  49769)

During World War II, the venerable International fell victim to mechanical failure and parts shortages. It took Bower Hill two years of requests to the War Production Board to get approval to buy this 1942 White chassis and have an American Fire Apparatus body and pump installed.

In 1954, the department received a 1948 GMC Panel Truck from the Pennsylvania Boys Reformatory in South Fayette. This became Bower Hill's first Ambulance. No pictures of this vehicle have been found. If you have one, let us know.

In 1956, Bower Hill purchased a 1946 Jeep CJ2A chassis. A 10KW generator, flood lights and storage boxes for rescue equipment were installed by members of the department. Again, no pictures of this vehicle have surfaced. If you have one, let us know.

In 1960, this vehicle replaced both the 1948 GMC ambulance and the 1942 White pumper. This 1960 GMC Panel Truck had a small pump, water tank, and booster reel as well as a patient compartment with a squad bench, a wheeled ambulance cot and medical equipment storage. Malenock's Garage in McKees Rocks built several of these vehicles for local fire departments, including one for Kirwan Heights VFD, which is Bower Hill's closest neighbor, right across Chartiers Creek.

In 1962, the department was able to purchase a 20KW generator, which was designed for an industrial user, but which failed to meet their needs and was put up for sale. The department had it installed in a Stahl utility body, and this was installed on a 1962 Jeep FC-170 chassis. This vehicle was notable for its lack of a muffler on its straight vertical exhaust stack. It became a regional resource vehicle, providing electrical power at major incidents throughout Allegheny County. No good pictures of this vehicle have been found. (We have photos of the front, and photos of the back, but not the whole vehicle.) If you have one, let us know.

1969 Cadillac/Superior Ambulance (1969-1981)
This 1969 Cadillac with a Superior Coach ambulance body was the first Bower Hill vehicle to be equipped with an automatic transmission, and it was the department's first vehicle that was commercially designed to be an ambulance. When it arrived, the 1960 GMC was relegated to backup Ambulance duties, and Squad and Booster Pumper service.


1970 Ford/American Fire Apparatus Triple Combination Pumper (1970-1992)
This 1970 Ford chassis with an American Fire Apparatus body and pump was a one-of-a-kind vehicle. It had been the demonstrator for American's "Aqua-Jet" elevated deluge nozzle, and it was equipped with all-hydraulic water valves, a high-pressure pump and fog nozzles, a hydraulic engine retarder, Mico-lock brake locks, and a "Transmatic" automatic transmission. It was extensively rebuilt by members of the department in 1981, with a new body by Doerr Brothers of Pittsburgh.


1973 Ford/Pierce Combination Mini-Pumper and Light Rescue (1973-1992)
This 1973 Ford with a Pierce PDQ mini-pumper body replaced both the 1960 GMC and the 1962 Jeep. It had a PTO operated pump capable of "pump-on-the-run" operation. It, too, was extensively modified during its service life as the mini-pumper concept took a back seat to rescue capabilities. This was the last vehicle the department owned that was equipped with a manual transmission, and the last pumper to have a gasoline engine.

1977 American LaFrance Triple Combination Pumper (1977-2008)

1978 Dodge/Wayne Ambulance (1978-1995)
This 1978 Dodge van with a Wayne Coach conversion was the first GSA-spec compliant ambulance for Bower Hill. During its time in service, the department progressed from having an EMT on some calls, sometimes, to an ALS ambulance service.


1984 Ford/ Yankee Ambulance (1985-1996)
Ambulances saw many more miles per year in service than fire engines in Bower Hill. This 1984 Ford with a Yankee Coach conversion replaced the 1978 Dodge in front-line service. It was the last gasoline-powered ambulance to be purchased by the department.


1994 Ford/KJT Sentinel Ambulance (1995-2002)
The last ambulance to be operated solely by Bower Hill was this 1994 Ford with a KJT Sentinel conversion. It was ultimately assigned to Scott Township EMS, though it kept the Bower Hill name in the red stripe on its side until it was retired.


1995 Chevrolet Squad (1995-2004)
This 1995 Chevrolet K3500 four-wheel drive pickup was used as a general utility vehicle and for responses to Carbon Monoxide alarms, pumping details and service calls, as well as for transportation to fire schools and meetings.


2000 Ford Command Vehicle (2000-2007)
This 2000 Ford Explorer became the department's first dedicated command vehicle. It was equipped with command and communications equipment, and was assigned to the fire chief, or in his absence, the next ranking officer, for department command use.


2001 Ford/Medtec Ambulance (2002-2006)
In 2002, Bower Hill and Glendale Hose Co. No. 1 each purchased identical 2001 Ford ambulances with Medtec Saturn III modules. These were used by Scott Township EMS. Medic 741 was owned by Bower Hill, and Medic 742 was owned by Glendale, and each had the owner's department emblem on the door.


1994 Ford/Medtec Ambulance (2004-2007)
In 2004, Bower Hill and Glendale jointly purchased this 1994 Ford E350 van with a Medtec high-top conversion for Scott Township EMS use. It was purchased used as a back-up vehicle for cases where one of the primary ambulances was down for repair. The success of this joint purchase led to similar arrangements for all subsequent STEMS ambulances to date.