ENGINE COMPANY 29

West End

In The Eye Of The Storm

CFDHISTORY ---›Companies ---› ENGINES ---› ENGINE COMPANY 29

Members Who Died In The Line:

  Capt. Michael Healey - July 17, 1895

2003 Emergency One 1500 GPM - 500 Tank 30A/30B Foam Shop #31680
The arrival of new apparatus often results in the movement of an engine from one company to another. This pumper was previously assigned to Engine 51.
Photo Steve Hagy

Engine 29 is in the drill yard that is at the rear of their quarters. Across the street is one of the buildings of the Stanley Rowe Towers where services are often provided for residents.
Photo Steve Hagy

1993 Emergency One 1500 GPM - 500 Tank Shop #31670
The 4 engines delivered in 1993 were the last pumpers purchased by the C.F.D. with a solid red paint job. Eventually all 4 were repainted with a white upper cab to match the apparatus delivered since 1994. This photo shows Engine 29 as it appears in 2008. The style of rear view mirrors has also been updated on this engine.
Photo Steve Hagy

Engines 29 and 5 arrive on the scene of a 1 alarm on Freeman Avenue. You have to catch the hydrant coming in!
Photo Steve Hagy

1993 Emergency One 1500 GPM - 500 Tank Shop #31670
This photo was taken down in the drill yard adjacent to the station.
Photo Steve Hagy

1988 Seagrave 1250 GPM - 300 Tank Shop #81670
Photo Steve Hagy

Back in the late 1970's a water additive was tested to see if it would create a more effetive fire stream. The additive was piped into the pump and a tank had to be mounted on the apparatus to carry the wonder ingredient. Engine 29 was selected as the test company for the project. The tank was mounted on the side of the apparatus where the ground ladder was normally mounted. The test was not as successful as hoped and the additive and it's tank were removed from the rig.

Now when the tank was installed on the 29's engine the ladder was "temporarily" mounted on the roof. Long after the test was over you could always pick out Engine 29 wherever they went because you could see that ladder! Notice on the photo below this one you can see the ladder resting on the roof...
Photo Steve Hagy

Who needs a mask? Firefighter Butch Halbauer from Engine 29 working at Ravine Street & Conroy at a 3-alarm fire.
Photo John Denney

A couple of pieces of the firehouse have changed since this photo was taken. First the light post at the corner is gone (maybe that Pinto knocked the thing over). Also, the bay doors have been replaced.
Photo Steve Hagy

1974 Seagrave 1000 GPM - 300 Tank Shop #4669
Photo Steve Hagy

The 29's house in the West End is located between Downtown and the Mill Creek Valley. Cincinnati had a financial crisis during the mid-1970's that was coupled with a reduction in working hours for firefighters. Budget cuts and company closures were put in place during 1975 and Engines 43, 44, and 45 were no longer in service to respond to this location. By 1983 Engines 6, 16 and Truck 8 had also been disbanded. Five of the 6 companies disbanded were located Downtown or in the heavily industrial Mill Creek Valley.
Photo Cincinnati Fire Department

The 29's head down 5th Street past the Albee theater and the Sheraton-Gibson Hotel. Looks like a rainy St. Patricks Day parade. The pumper is a 1974 Seagrave.
Photo Steve Hagy collection.

1972 Seagrave 1000 GPM - 300 Tank Shop #4669
The 29's are working at a 2nd alarm in a vacant building at the intersection of 7th & Sycamore Streets. This apparatus was destroyed in an accident on April 14, 1973. 5 firefighters were injured in the incident and the driver of the car which struck the engine was killed in the crash.
Photo Steve Hagy

1961 Seagrave 1000 GPM - 150 Tank Shop #4604
The following entry appears in the journal of District 3 dated April 30, 1961: "Mr. Effron photographer took pictures of apparatus at quarters of Engines 12, 21, 29, 43."
Photo Ed Effron

1952 Reo/Kelly Auto Body Co. Hose Wagon Shop #25314
The 3 Reo/Kelly hose wagons were converted to hi-expansion foam units in the 1960's.
Photo Ed Effron

1949 Seagrave 1000 GPM - 100 Tank Shop #25177
Notice the 29's wagon just down the street. There are trolley wires overhead, a hazard that today's firefighters no longer must deal with in Cincinnati.
Photo Ed Effron

1949 Seagrave 1000 GPM - 100 Tank Shop #25177
Photo Ed Effron

1920 Ahrens-Fox 750 GPM Shop #25129
In this view of the 29's quarters you can see that the engine has been modernized with the additional of Cooper tube style tires! This station was located at Wade and Freeman Avenues where the printing plant of the Enquirer/Post is today.
Photo Steve Hagy Collection

1920 Ahrens-Fox 750 GPM Shop #25129
This pumper was placed in service on October 1, 1920. Eventually the apparatus was reassigned to Engine 19 and then Engine 48.
Photo Steve Hagy Collection

Engine 29's quarters during the 1913 flood.
Photo Collection of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

The 29's house on Freeman Street about 1895.
Photo Steve Hagy Collection