It has been a few years since I've had the opportunity to review a Squadron/Signal book and I must say that I find this new series to be one in which I found myself  quite drawn. I dare say that there isn't a person in America or in the world who hasn't seen or been interested in what we generically call fire trucks. They are a staple of parades everywhere in the US and Canada as the local fire departments, whether volunteer or permanent, bring out their apparatus to show the public what their tax money has bought them. Even more appreciate this equipment when the need is there to help save their homes or family.

Provided in the standard 'in action' format, this 96 page book is absolutely crammed full of color and some black and white photos of pumper units dating from the time of the Revolutionary War until today. Of course, most of these vehicles are the age of motorization and the majority of older vehicles are those that have been lovingly preserved or restored so that we can view them in their colorful glory. The rest is a wide range of what seems at time to be a bewildering number of different types and manufacturers.

Author Wayne Mutza provides an introduction to each of the sections and explains the advances made in equipment as time goes on. It is generally divided into decades with the important events in apparatus development explained in the beginning of each decade. But it is the photos that are the big draw. Each is superbly printed and there are four to six on each page, complete with captions explaining the type and some background on the vehicle shown.

In all, it is a most enjoyable and fascinating look at pumper apparatus and how it has evolved from the hand pump units of centuries back to the modern equipment of today. Highly recommended for readers young and old.

July 2009

My thanks to www.squadron.com for providing the review book. Get yours today at your local shop or on-line retailer.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly , please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.