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, 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.
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.
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.
Cambrian station. Left to right: John Loveless, Johnny Manfre, Jim Ackley. Photo dated August 1950.
An International, being washed by firefighter Lou Spurrier. 9 Oct 1950.
E/FF Dick Whalen, E/FF Jim Ackley, FF Bob Olsen, at Alum Rock station. Photo 1951.
E/FF Dick Whalen and E/FF Jim Ackley give a tour at Alum Rock station to four unidentified girls. Photo 1952.
Engine 4, a 1948 500gpm White/Van Pelt. Photo 1952.
E/FF Ray Maher, FF George Warden, E/FF Les Berta and E/FF Bruce Gaman at Alum Rock station. Photo 1953.
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.
Two more, earlier photos of the Alum Rock station, from 1953. These photos were taken before windows were installed in the apparatus bay doors.
Two photos of Engine 12, a 1954 GMC/Van Pelt, with a 1000gpm pump and a 500 gallon tank. Both photo dates unknown.
Engine 15 was a 1955 GMC/Van Pelt (1000 gpm pump, 500 gallon tank) at the Alum Rock Station.
Two photos of the Alum Rock station. Dates unknown.
FF Lejames Suess poses for a photo on his first day at Alum Rock station.
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 the Alviso fire, 1962. Second from left: Jim Caudill; far right: Ken Bitzer.
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, a 1961 International/Van Pelt, which served at Alum Rock. 750 gallon tank, 1000gpm pump. Color photos June 1963.
Two more photos of Alum Rock station. Left photo December 1968, right photo undated.
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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