Fire Engines Photos

This is clearly in Washington, D.C. Shaw is the neighborhood in which the station is located. All the D.C. trucks display the neighborhood like that. (Local pride, I guess.)

The spinning light is a Roto-Ray. These were quite popular back in the 30s and 40s, before rotating beacons came into fashion. In Philadelphia when I was a kid there in the 50s, most of the PFD trucks had them. Interestingly, the 7 1928-vintage Ahrens-Fox pumpers in Rotterdam had them for a while. The one in photo #15405 had already given up its Roto-Ray.

Over the last 10-15 years Roto-Rays have come back into use, especially in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and D.C. You can google roto-ray for some good commentaries. Those pinwheels do get your attention!

Added by Michael Feldman on 18 January 2014.

The Roto-Rays do indeed get attention. They are still manufactured (and maintained) by a retired Fairfax County, Virginia, F.D. Lieutenant, who bought the patent rights to them about 25 years ago. They are still made with sealed beams as the one shown, or with LED heads. The white light adds a kick, and several D.C. area police bomb disposal units are using them with all blue lamps.

Added by Alert on 18 January 2014.

Thanks, guys, for the info. I've found it quite interesting. Especially Michael, I didn't know that Shaw was a neighbourhood in Washington.

Added by Tiger on 19 January 2014.

Michael: many FDNY fire companies also have their neighborhood identity sign written on their trucks. Some have more fanciful slogans instead. I think "Tonka Truck" may be my favorite!

Added by Rob Johnson on 06 November 2017.

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