Purchased by City of Tucson in 1923, ALF Engine #4189 was purchased along with 4187 (Ladder) and 4188 (Engine).

The engine ran as Engine 4 –

In the 1920′s, the City of Tucson was growing. Fire Chief Joseph Roberts decided that additional fire protection was needed and persuaded the governing body to put a bond before the voters for additional funding. The bond issue was passed in 1923 and the City funded a new fire station at the corner of Park and Ninth Street, where the original structure still stands. A 75 foot Aerial Ladder Truck and two Triple Combination Piston Type fire engines were also purchased. All three of the apparatus were manufactured by the American La France Corporation. Additionally, sixty new Gamewell Alarm Boxes, for use on street corners, were purchased, as was a new eight circuit switch board and repeater. Finally, the funds provided for an expansion of the firefighter work force by hiring twelve more members, bringing the total force to twenty-nine.

As part of the GTFF mission to “Honor the Past”, in August of 2010 the Foundation purchased one of the 1923 fire engines (#4189) from a private collector in El Paso, Texas. The truck was in a state of disrepair, having sat outside in the weather for a number of years. A group of dedicated volunteers has completely disassembled the truck and is restoring it to better than the condition when it first left the assembly line in 1923. The anticipated date for the restoration is November of 2013. Upon completion, the truck will be used for public events representing the Foundation and it fund-raising efforts.

To see the full project and current status of the restoration, check out the Engine’s Photo Album