Historical Antique Society

The Surrey Fire Fighters Association is fortunate to have had several groups, such as volunteers, the Pioneers and current members’ commitment in restoring our historical truck apparatuses over the past twenty years.  We currently have four Antique Vehicles, two trailers and one Antique Hosereel.  They are all used for a variety of community events in Surrey and beyond such as parades and static displays.  The restoration hours over the last twenty year period is in the 1000’s, and would not be possible without Local 1271’s membership support!  Over $100,000 has been invested into the restoration and annual maintenance over the last two decades.  Local 1271 is also very fortunate to have recently received a couple public city grants along the way to assist with our latest addition to the historical fleet – GMC ’58.   Below is the history about each apparatus owned by the Surrey Fire Fighters Association.   

1920 American LaFrance      

In 1964 Lido Piticco (Surrey Volunteer Fire Hall #2 ) was on his way to Western Peat company in Delta with his 10 year old son Randy and a friend to do some business. Upon arrival the two adventuresome boys took off to play while dad attended to his business. As the boys were playing they made an amazing discovery, an almost complete 1922 American LaFrance fire truck sunk to the axles in the peat. Because the truck had been there for quite some time Lido was able to convince the mill owners to abandon their intended project of using the drive train of the truck to power a conveyor system for the mill. A deal was struck to purchase the truck for $250 dollars. On May 26th 1964 the North Surrey Vintage Fire Truck Association was formed. This association was made up for 16 volunteers who set forth to restore the truck. The restoration took several years as there was little funds. With local business donating some material and labour, and some very helpful inmates at both the B.C. Penitentiary and Matsqui Penitentiary the bulk of the restoration was done in about 8 years. In approximately 1974 the truck was given to Surrey Fire Fighters Local 1271 . The original 16 members of the North Surrey Vintage Fire Truck Association sign a document stating that as each member passed on they would bequeath their share of the truck to local 1271. Additional work was done to the truck in the following years to return the truck to stock condition. In 1986 Lido was asked to drive the truck in the opening ceremony of the World Police and Fire Games at BC Place. Now, more than 40 years after its restoration and 95 years after it was buil its still running fantastic, attending tons of community events and making children happy.

• Original cost $15,650
• Horse power 120
• Weight 8,000lbs

1922 White Chemical Wagon

Originally a Vancouver fire truck from 1922 to 1935 it was bought by the Surrey Fire Dept. and was used as a chemical fire fighting truck until about 1940. By then the dept realized that the chemical extinguishing agent was so toxic that home were better off to burn to the ground . So the decision was made to remove the chemical system from the truck and just use small portable pumps. The truck was used in this format until the mid 1950s and then sold to a private collector. The where about of the truck for the next 40 years or so is unknown, but in 1990 Local 1271 was approached by an individual offering to sell the truck back to us! The truck was in very poor condition missing the fenders, pumps and everything from the seat back. In 2010, the restoration by the Surrey Fire Fighters Historical Society and members of Local 1271 began. With 600 man hours into the solid oak woodwork and a total of 2000 hours into the truck as a whole. Countless donations were made to the cause by local surrey businesses the restoration was completed in late 2012. The truck is now used at over 30 charity events a year. It is transported on a trailer to event being towed by our 1981 international. Thousands of kids and families have had the opportunity to sit in the 1922 White Chemical Wagon and have their photo taken, as well as enjoy a piece of the Surrey Fire Departments History.

• Original cost $6,500
• Horse power 80
• Weight 7,000 pounds

 1981 International

The 1981 International began life as a rescue truck in the Fleetwood area of Surrey. There she worked hard until about 1990. At that point she was converted into large volume fuel tanker. The design was intended to be utilized at large incidents where trucks could run for days on end. In 1995, the truck was altered again to be used as a tow truck for the fire safety house in the SFD Public Education branch. It served the city in this role for 9 years until it was sold to local 1271 for its current role as a  tow truck for the historical trucks and trailers. Undergoing an extensive refurbish in 2010, the 1981 International maybe the most dynamic truck to ever be used in the Surrey Fire Dept. It has severed in several different roles throughout it career with no end in sight.

 1958 GMC

The 1958 GMC has the distinction of being surreys first brand new fire truck. Everything purchased before this truck was either a used fire truck from another department or a truck that had been repurposed by the public works yard to be used by the SFD. This truck is very uncommon as it is the only “two stage” pumper Surrey has ever bought! The ’58 was purchased to work at Port Kells, Hall 7 area of Surrey where it served a 33 year career. Taken out of service in 1991, she had worked hard her whole life and was definitely tired from her years of service. Shortly thereafter she was sold to Local 1271 for $1 and put into storage from 1991 to 2009 at Surrey fire hall #9 outside. Then moved to Surrey fire hall #2 inside late in 2009. The very first day the truck had been moved it was realized that it was home to a large family of rats. So rat hunting season was officially open inside hall 2.  Then late in 2011 the truck was moved to Surrey fire hall #5 to begin its restoration. What started out as a “ frame on “ restoration turned into a full “frame off “ nut and bolt restoration with heavy modifications to the drive train, steering and brake system. The intent of this was to ensure the truck could be used as a suitable tow vehicle for the 1922 White Chemical Wagon. The original engine was 180 horse power which was deemed unsuited for the intended purpose of the truck. So it was swapped for 496 cubic inch engine with 600 horse power. The standard transmission was exchanged for and automatic with the thought that it would be easier to tow with. With extensive upgrading to the interior, dash and electrical system. With the projected completion of this project to be December 2014 we are looking forward to a full year of charity work for the 1958 GMC in 2015.

• Original cost $14,500
• Horse power 180
• Weight 15,800
• Current horse power 600

Ron Olson (85 yrs)

Painting by Ron Olson, 85 yrs. Born and raised in Revelstoke B.C. Moved to the Coast at an early age. Longtime Surrey resident. Art lessons in the Lower Mainland. member of the Port Kells Art Club.

Antique Hose Reel