FAYETTEVILLE – Here’s an unusual sight: an all black fire truck in North Carolina.
This is Westarea Fire Department, Cumberland County Station 10, Engine 102.
It is a Ford/Atlas top-mount pumper tanker. Atlas was an apparatus manufacturer located in Raleigh, and later was known as EEI.
Station 10 in Cumberland County has since been closed and is no longer operational. The disposition of this truck is unknown.
The first time I saw this rig was at a multiple alarm fire at a car dealership on Bragg Boulevard. It was just north of Pamalee, and at the time, still in the county. I’m pretty sure Fire Station 8, Bonnie Doone, was still operational. Station 9, Bonnie Doone (Yadkin Road), had received their Pierce Dash pumpers by then.
They also had a small squad truck that they ran the Command Post from. The building was pretty well involved, and mutual aid was coming in from around the county. If memory serves, Spring Lake’s open cab mid-mount American LaFrance was used. I do not remember any City units at the scene.
It was quite a fire, and I distinctly remember seeing Engine 102 coming down Bragg Boulevard into the fire. “Wow, who’s all black truck is that?!” At first, I thought it was an out-of-county unit.
There’s a good chance I have other shots of this unit somewhere in the files.
If you know more about the history of this unique unit, please let us know in the comments.
PRIMARY AGENCY: Westarea Fire Department
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Jeff,
Would love to what photo’s you have from Bonnie Doone and Yadkin Road FD’s.
Art
Jeff, I would also love to see pics from former stations 8 and 9. The current Westarea FD Station 15 has 2 unique color rigs as well. They have 2 beautiful green american lafrance pumpers that were purchased from Whiteford MD.
Nice truck. The only other black truck I have saw was at the Jack Daniels plant. Not sure if they still have it. If I remember correctly that was in the mid 90′s
The Black one had a RED twin, it was used in an add for Atlas, in Firehouse Magazine. Westarea bought the 2 trucks at the same time in the early 80′s… More to follow, if I can find out its current disposition.. Both trucks operated at the Power Swain Cheverolet Fire on Bragg Blvd, shortly after they were delivered.. The sound of the Q2′s on both of those trucks was awesome !