The first gas powered fire engine,  year 1915.

The engine in the picture is a Type 20 American LaFrance. The Type 20 was a combination truck (hose and chemical, no pump) with six cylinders, 65 horsepower motor having a 4 inch bore and a 5 and half inch stoke. The truck had a chain drive.  It was shipprd to Manning Fire Department on February 24,1916

A Moment in History

Years ago, the Manning Fire Department would sound an alarm from station and then the fire engine would circle the Main block for firefighters to jump on.     Later the system was upgraded to the circle map posted on the wall. When there was a fire, the firemen would sound an alarm and then stick an ice pick in the location of the fire on the map before taking the engine to the fire. Some of the outside edges were for areas of the county. Upon hearing the alarm, other firefighters would go by the station to see the location of the fire and then respond. This system was later upgraded to a nail with a light on it. As time past, we have improved to the central dispatch, pager, and walkie system we have today. We can only wait to see what the future brings!