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1945 Seagrave Fire Engine - Emerald Bay's First Engine


1945 Seagrave Fire Engine - Emerald Bay's First Engine 1945 Seagrave Triple Combination Pumper 750 GPM pump 400 gallon water tank. Powered by the original Seagrave V-12 motor with dual ignition and dual carburetors with 24 spark plugs. This restored 1945 fire engine started its career with the US Navy on the Island of Guam during World War 2. After the war and a short stint of service to the Navy, it was loaded on a barge to be shipped to California as surplus, unfortunately it fell overboard into the ocean. After being retrieved, it finally made its way to Port Hueneme, where it was sold in 1951 to the Emerald Bay Volunteer Fire Department for $5,000.00.


In July 1952 Orange County took over fire protection for Emerald Bay and maintained the volunteer force. At the same time this engine was reconditioned and fully outfitted at the County Shops. After passing all its pump tests she was placed in service as the first due responding engine in Emerald Bay and the surrounding area. During the `50s and `60s she saw action on all the major wildland fires in Orange County with many mutual aid responses into the City of Laguna Beach. In 1965 she was demoted to the second due engine when a new Crown Firecoach engine was delivered.


As "second due" she still was busy on some of the largest wildland fires in Orange County's history including the Paseo Grande 1967 and Trabuco 1970. In March 1973 our Seagrave went into "reserve" status serving 5 more years. In 1979 She was retired from active duty after 34 years of faithful service. She remained with the OCFD as a parade engine but soon fell in to disrepair. In 2012 the California Fire Museum was able to acquire this old Seagrave and a generous donor was found to restore it to her old glory. Through the generous donation from Dan McKenna, a resident of Emerald Bay, a frame off restoration was completed in 2019. She is now owned and lovingly cared for by the members of the California Fire Museum Safety Learning Center. 


 


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