LAFD, "Daniel Hayes Proposes His Truck to the LAFD", THE FIREMEN'S GRAPEVINE, April 1989

Daniel Hayes Proposes His Truck to the LAFD

1884 The Hayes Ladder Truck began
service as the Volunteer Company:
Vigilance Hook & Ladder No. 1
Aliso St. and Alameda.

T he lengthy process of purchasing the Los Angeles Volunteer Fire Department's Hayes aerial was recorded in painstaking longhand in the minutes of various Los Angeles City Council meetings. On January 28, 1884, Daniel D. Hayes' proposal for the manufacture of a 2nd class Hayes Hook and Ladder Truck was read into the minutes of the City Council.

COMMITTEE ON FIRE AND WATER
The following proposal was opened and read:
We hereby propose and agree to manufacture for your city, and ship the same within sixty days after receipt of your acceptance of this proposition one 2nd Class Hayes Extension Ladder Truck and Fire Escape said Fire Truck to be built in accordance with the following specifications as regards equipment dimensions, material, finish, etc. to wit:
It shall carry ladders of the following dimensions, vis.

One Hayes Patent Extension Ladder to elevate sixty five feet from the ground, the main ladder in which shall be 34 feet long, and the extension 32 feet long.
One ladder 28 ft.
One ladder 26 ft.
One ladder 24 ft.
One ladder 18 ft.
One ladder 16 ft. (roof)

The 28, 26 and 24 ft. ladders shall be carried on rollers and the 28 and 22 ft. ladders to be arranged for splicing, making a ladder 46 ft. long and the 20, 18, and 16 to "nest in." The Truck shall be supplied with the following appliances, to wit,

2 short handled hooks
2 long handled hooks
1 chair hook
2 crouch poles
2 steel crow bars
4 fire axes (with Pipe heads)
4 pitch forks
4 leather fire buckets
175 ft. of Manila Rope with tackle and swatch block for hoisting hose
1 oil can
2 brass hand lanterns
1 bell or gong
All necessary wrenches, spanners and tools for working the truck will also be supplied. The "Leaders" of the frame and ladders shall be built of best quality Oregon Pine, free from knots.

The Truck shall be mounted on Platform Sprints over forward axle, and two full elliptic springs over hind axle made of best quality spring steel, the running gear, braces, rods, and etc to be carefully forged from the best quality of Norway and Ulster iron. The axles to be made of best quality of Ulster iron. The wheels to be made of selected and seasoned timber and tired with the best quality of Tire Iron. Hind wheels four feet in diameter; to have brass caps over the ends of hubs, and to be handsomely painted and striped with gold leaf. The brake lever shall be arranged to be operated by driver's foot, and the hind gear operated by hand wheel Tiller, horse tongue, and whiffle trees, to be made of seasoned second growth ash or hickory and handsomely painted and striped with gold leaf. The Truck complete shall be built in a substantial and workmanlike manner, be handsomely painted and ornamented with gold striping and scroll work with name and etc. as ordered.

It shall be delivered within the time hereintofore specified at Los Angeles, Cal. for the sum of twenty seven hundred and fifty dollars.

Yours Truly
D.D. Hayes

P.S. Or will deliver at San Pedro for twenty five hundred and fifty dollars, and at San Francisco for twenty five hundred dollars.

Which proposal was referred to the Committee on Fire and Water.

The proposal was accepted, and on June 2, 1884, the truck was delivered to and accepted by the City Council.