Santa Clara County Fire Department

Alum Rock - Historic Photographs

Alum Rock station 2003

Then and Now: The former Alum Rock station, located at 2933 Alum Rock Av, San Jose, now serves as San Jose Fire Department station #2. Note that the original structure has been more than doubled with the addition of a fourth, much larger apparatus bay, and a wing on the left side. The road has been widened, its current five lanes encroaching on the station. Photo May 2003.

Alum Rock station alumrock
left: from the collection of Jim Ackley

right: Wayne Sorenson Collection

Alum Rock Station, on Alum Rock Avenue, San Jose. Left-to-right: Tanker 1, a 1947 International KB11 451 COE military surplus, Engine 8 and Engine 4, both 1948 White/Van Pelts. Photos taken 1949.

old Engine 8 ol' number 8
left: Official Photograph Santa Clara County

right: from the collection of Jim Ackley

Engine 8 was a 1948 White/Van Pelt. It had a 500 gallon tank and for some reason was purchased with a larger, 600 gpm pump. It is shown at the Alum Rock Station. Left photo 1952. Right photo shows FF Dick Whalen. Photo is labeled "Ole' #8", and dated August 1950.

rm_tanker5_alum_rock Tanker 5 August 1950
left photo from the collection of Ray Maher

right photo from the collection of Jim Ackley

Tanker 5, a 1949 White WB-20, with a 500gpm pump and a 2000 gallon tank. It was stationed at Alum Rock. Left photo 1951, right photo, showing FF Bruce Gaman, August 1950.

lineup 1950
from the collection of Jim Ackley

Cambrian station. Left to right: John Loveless, Johnny Manfre, Jim Ackley. Photo dated August 1950.

Int'l with Lou Spurrier
Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

An International, being washed by firefighter Lou Spurrier. 9 Oct 1950.

rm_binocs_alum_rock
From the collection of Ray Maher

E/FF Dick Whalen, E/FF Jim Ackley, FF Bob Olsen, at Alum Rock station. Photo 1951.

rm_alum_rock_tour
From the collection of Ray Maher

E/FF Dick Whalen and E/FF Jim Ackley give a tour at Alum Rock station to four unidentified girls. Photo 1952.

rm_e4_cambrian
Photo from the collection of Ray Maher

Engine 4, a 1948 500gpm White/Van Pelt. Photo 1952.

rm_alum_rock_staff
From the collection of Ray Maher

E/FF Ray Maher, FF George Warden, E/FF Les Berta and E/FF Bruce Gaman at Alum Rock station. Photo 1953.

rm_alum_rock_lineup
From the collection of Ray Maher

Alum Rock station. E/FF Les Berta at Tanker 6, E/FF Bruce Gaman at Engine 8, and E/FF Ray Maher at Engine 3. Photo 1953.

rm_alum_rock2 rm_alum_rock3

three photos from the collection of Ray Maher

Two more, earlier photos of the Alum Rock station, from 1953. These photos were taken before windows were installed in the apparatus bay doors.

Alum Rock old Engine 12
left: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

right: Official Photograph Santa Clara County

Two photos of Engine 12, a 1954 GMC/Van Pelt, with a 1000gpm pump and a 500 gallon tank. Both photo dates unknown.

old Engine 15

top: Official Photograph Santa Clara County

Engine 15 was a 1955 GMC/Van Pelt (1000 gpm pump, 500 gallon tank) at the Alum Rock Station.

old Alum Rock station old Alum Rock station
both photos Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Two photos of the Alum Rock station. Dates unknown.

alum rock station
SCCCFPD 1993 Annual Yearbook

FF Lejames Suess poses for a photo on his first day at Alum Rock station.

new pumper Tanker 1 Alum Rock
left: from the collection of Jim Ackley

right: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

From a San Jose Evening News, 4 March 1957 article:

"New Fire Wagon - This shiny new fire engine that carries its own water is being put into service at the Alum Rock Fire Station by the Central Fire District this week. Reportedly the only one of its kind in the country, it is a combination pumper-tanker, especially designed for use in areas without fire hydrants or with low water pressure. Proudly looking over the truck are Capt. Bob Basile and Engineman Charles Mingroni."
Tanker-pumper 1 was an International. Left photo from quoted article. Right photo date unknown.

Tanker 6 at 1962 Alviso fire
from the collection of Lee Caudill

Tanker 6 at the Alviso fire, 1962. Second from left: Jim Caudill; far right: Ken Bitzer.

Tanker 6

Alum Rock Alum Rock

all: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Tanker 6 was a 1960 International/Van Pelt, working out of the Alum Rock station. It carried 1250 gallons of water, and had a 250gpm pump. Color photos June 1963.

Engine 15

Alum Rock Alum Rock

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

color photos: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Engine 15, a 1961 International/Van Pelt, which served at Alum Rock. 750 gallon tank, 1000gpm pump. Color photos June 1963.

Squad 12
Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Squad 12 was a 1962 GMC/Van Pelt, with a 190 gallon tank and a 250gpm pump. It later served at Shannon station. Photo December 1968.

Alum Rock Alum Rock
both: Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Two more photos of Alum Rock station. Left photo December 1968, right photo undated.

Squad 12

Squad 12 Squad 12

Santa Clara County Fire Dept Archive

Three photos of a later, larger Squad 12, a 1970 International/Van Pelt, carrying 400 gallons of water and a 300gpm pump. It served out of the Alum Rock station after having served briefly at Shannon station. Dates 1972 and 1968-9.

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