Snorkel-Type Apparatus

It is often said that timing in life is everything. Here we have proof of that saying as it pertained to the L.A. County Fire Department in 1972.

This gigantic Snorkel-type apparatus is shown here being demonstrated on the gridiron at the Training Center. "Why is it special?" I hear you asking. Obviously it has two nozzles on the basket instead of the customary one. Also, the rather heavy back end of the rig is being held completely off of the ground by the rear jacks. Finally, the information on the photo negative envelope states "Firebird" and that it is "150-feet tall fully extended as it is!"

As the Department was just beginning to expand its number of truck companies and replace the existing Snorkels with 100-foot, rear-mounted aerials, whatever sales pitch was used could not, and did not work.

- Dave Boucher Department Historian