1971 International Brush Truck
This unit was built by fire company members in 1970. The unit was designed as a brush truck and as a winch vehicle on rescues. A one ton 4 x 4 chassis was purchased in May of 1970 from Hickory International of Bel Air. Because International did not make a one ton wide side pickup at the time, the chassis and a wide side body were ordered separately and Hickory International mounted the body on the chassis. They also added high floatation tires and a PTO driven 12,000 lb winch mounted on a front bumper extension.
Once it arrived the fire company members installed a slide in fiberglass 200 gallon tank, a 35 GPM pump, an electric rewind booster reel with 300 feet of ¾ inch booster hose, a three person bench seat behind the tank, and all the emergency lights, siren and air horn. The unit also carried the standard tools such as axes, brush rakes, and Indian tanks.
The unit was placed in service on March 1, 1971. Its first alarm was on March 2, 1971 for a field and woods fire at the intersection of Route 1 and Old Jarrettsville Road in Hickory.
After almost 8 months of build time, the fire company was extremely proud of the unit. It had been field tested at the construction site of the Harford Mall in mud pits, etc. and the unit could not be stopped and was never stuck. On its first call, Assistant Chief Donald MacLean and 2nd Assistant Chief Richard Woodward pulled rank and took the call. As they proceeded off road to access the scene they promptly got the unit stuck and had to use the winch for a self recovery.
The unit is still in service with the fire company as one of two brush units. It is currently housed at the Forest Hill Station.