ENGINE COMPANY 14

Downtown West

Western Fire Company - Fire Department Headquarters

CFDHISTORY ---›Companies ---› ENGINES ---› ENGINE COMPANY 14

Members Who Died In The Line:

  Capt. Jerry Bray - December 25, 1888

  Capt. Thomas McDermott - February 20, 1911

  Daryl Gordon - March 26, 2015

2009 Spartan - General Safety (Rosenbauer) 1500 GPM - 500 Tank Shop #81672
Photo Steve Hagy

2009 Spartan - General Safety (Rosenbauer) 1500 GPM - 500 Tank Shop #81672
This is one of three 2009 model engines placed in service.
Photo Steve Hagy

Reflective chevrons are now applied to the front and rear of apparatus being purchased by the C.F.D. The chevrons are a feature used to increase visibility of the vehicle resulting in a safer piece of equipment.
Photo Steve Hagy

The house watch area in the 14's quarters offers a panoramic view of the apparatus floor.
Photo Steve Hagy

1993 Emergency One 1500 GPM - 500 Tank Shop #31673
The 14's have caught a hydrant on Madison Road during a 5-alarm fire at Rock Tenn paper recycling.
Photo Steve Hagy

1993 Emergency One 1500 GPM - 500 Tank Shop #31673
Photo Steve Hagy

1979 Seagrave 1250 GPM -300 Tank 54' Squrt Shop #4677
Tpw of these rigs were purchased with the other being assigned to Engine 5.
Photo Steve Hagy

This is the former quarters of Engine 2 and Ladder 6 located at the intersection of 9th Street & Freeman Avenue. Engine 14 was moved to this house after their station at 5th & Smith Streets had been razed for construction of I-75. The exact dates when the 14's operated from 9th & Freeman are not known - but their stay at this location may have lasted a couple of years. The apparatus shown are Seagrave pumpers of 1949 and 1958 vintage. Engine 14 was still operating as a 2-piece company into the 1960's.
Photo Ed Effron

The Southeast corner of 5th & Central as it appeared around 1960. There's an alarm box on a square pedestal shown in this photo.
Photo David J. Jones Collection

Engine 14's quarters not long before the house was cloaed. Demolition had started on buildings in the area for the construction of I-75.
Photo Mike Wells/George Wells Collection

Engine 14 with the crew out front some time in the 1950's.
Photo Mike Wells/George Wells

1958 Seagrave 1000 GPM -100 Tank Shop #25198
One of four Seagrave engines delivered during 1958.
Photo Ed Effron

The crew of Engine 14 lined up in front of their 1945 Mack engine around 1950. Left to right: Firefighter Charles Robinson; Firefighter Frank Drees; Firefighter Larry Berryman; Captain Joe Bellerson.
Photo Courtesy of Michael Wilger

1949 Seagrave 1000 gpm - 100 gallon tank operating as a hose wagon some time in the 1960's.
Photo Steve Hagy Collection

1945 Mack 1250 GPM -100 Tank Shop #25167
1 of 2 purchased.
Photo Steve Hagy Collection

1941 Autocar/U S Fire Apparatus 750 GPM - 100 Tank Shop #25161
Photo Steve Hagy Collection

1941 Autocar-U S Fire Apparatus 750 GPM -100 Tank Shop #25161
This engine was placed in service at Engine 14 on December 30, 1941 at 1:25 p.m.
Photo George Snellbaker

1941 Autocar/U S Fire Apparatus 750 GPM - 100 Tank Shop #25161
For many years Cincinnati had the pumps on their apparatus given an official rating that was smaller than the actual pump capacity. The pump on this unit was rated at 1000 gpm.
Photo Steve Hagy Collection

Operating a pump was a little less complicated 60 years ago. This view of the 1941 Autocar/U S Fire Apparatus engine shows all of the controls.
Photo Bill Foster Collection

The house watch area at the 14's on February 2, 1940. A new alarm system had just been installed across the city and this was typical of the updated equipment. An alarm register, teletype machine, a board for companies that were in and out of service along with the box responses for the house are shown.
Photo David J. Jones Collection

An unknown firefighters poses with the 14's engine sometime during the 1930's.
Photo Steve Hagy Collection

From back of Photo:March 18th, 1920 Photo by The Commercial Photo Gallery Alfie Purcell - ext. right Donated By Debby Boyles, whose Grandfather Charles Rohner is the fireman under the bell (4th from the right).
Photo Donated by Debby Boyles

The 14's former station at 5th & Smith streets. The pumper is a 1917 Ahrens-Fox 1000 gpm piston job that entered service on November 30, 1917, and carried shop #25114. Notice the next door neighbor investigating what's going on at the firehouse from the porch over the "Smoke Shop".
Photo Steve Hagy Collection

Engine 14's house on West 5th Street when it was fairly new. Note the chain across
the doorway to keep the horses from wandering into the street.
Photo Fire Museum of Greater Cincinnati

Helmet from the era when the 14's would have been know as the Western Fire Co. This historic item is on display at the Cincinnati Fire Museum.
Photo Steve Hagy

Lawrence Salamone identified these guys! Outstanding! I'm glad I wasn't offering a reward! With help from his cousin Angelo Caminiti, who is in the picture. Left to right - Ray Meister(pointing),Ang Caminiti, Al Morel, Jim Gamm, Cecil McWilliams, Ray McDonald, Jack Lackmeyer, Joe Wira, Jonny Lee
Photo Basham Collection

Photo Steve Hagy