The department eliminated booster reels in the 1980s. Three crosslays were added in the space formerly occupied by the reel. A wooden hose bed extension made room for a four-bottle air cascade in the original hose bed, with supply line above.

Three SCBAs were installed above the street side cabinet. One of the crosslays was plumbed from the old booster reel line, and the second, a 1 inch "cabinet line," from a wye on the main discharge. The third was not preconnected. A new 250 gallon booster tank was installed in 1979. The locomotive horns are not part of the vehicle. They're there during parades only, and belong to the firefighter in the driver's seat in this (and the bottom) photo.

A portable generator replaced one of the SCBAs, the air cascade was removed, and a Stokes rescue basket and high-angle rescue gear was added. The 1 inch crosslay was eliminated, and the rear discharge was replumbed to the other crosslay. Two portable scene lights were added, which were plugged into the generator when needed. The vehicle was repainted by Hamlin's Auto Body of Kirwan Heights to match the rest of the fleet and was relettered in gold leaf by Charles A. Novak of McMurray.


A stokes rescue basket and high-angle rescue gear were added in the 1980s. This preparedness paid off, and the equipment and the rescue training of the firefighters proved to be quite useful on a few occasions.