On Saturday, February 25, 2012, six members of the Purchase Fire Department made a special trip to South Harrison Township, New Jersey and returned with a piece of history. After nearly a decade of private ownership, we were reunited with the first engine custom built for the Purchase Fire District. Quad 8 is a 1957 Seagrave Model 900-Q quadruple combination pumper. It is among only 23 other quads built during the Seagrave 70th Anniversary Series, a 19-year production run characterized by its signature siren-in-the-nose and twin grilles across the front end. The quad was equipped with a 1000 GPM pump and a 300 HP 906 Cubic Inch V-12, which was later replaced with a diesel engine. With the exception of a second paint job, it has endured the test of time well.

In 2003, as the Purchase Fire Department awaited the delivery of Engine 240, the district made the difficult decision to part ways with Quad 8 to free up space on the apparatus floor. Fortunately, it was acquired by a private collector who maintained it with the same level of care that our membership provided for 46 years. Our bittersweet reunion with Quad 8 would take place nine years later, after learning of the collector's passing and his heir's offer to return his collection to the original owners.

With drivability in question, our members came prepared to make any field repairs necessary for Quad 8 to reach its flatbed carrier. To our delight, the quad started and ran well, requiring little more than a battery change and some air in the tires. It arrived home safely, but will require some additional work before it's roadworthy again. We are fortunate to have a second chance at preserving a piece of department history and we're looking forward to sharing Quad 8 with the public in time for our 75th Anniversary celebration next year. We are especially grateful to CRL Trans of Mahopac and Excelsior Garage and Machine Works of Mamaroneck for their outstanding services.

Source:

Walter M.P. McCall, "Seagrave 70th Anniversary Series Photo Archive"