New Braunfels Fire Department Museum
Museum Memorabilia Desired!!
The New Braunfels Fire Department Museum would proudly accept or display any old New Braunfels Fire Department photos, uniform items, or equipment that you may have in your posssession! Please contact Battalion Chief Darren Brinkkoeter if you would like to contribute.
Museum Tours
To arrange a tour of the Museum, please contact Fire Administration at (830) 221-4200
A Peek Inside the Museum |
|
1886 Hose Cart
The kerosene torch on this hosecart was held by a young boy who would run ahead of the hosecart at night to light the way to the fire. It was pulled by firefighters to the fire scene.
|
|
|
1950 Ford Pumper
This Ford pumper has a 750 GPM pump, 8 cylinders, and is still used today in parades and as the hearse for firefighter funerals.
|
 |
|
1923 LaFrance Pumper
This 1923 LaFrance is a 105 horsepower, 6 cylinder triple combination 750 GPM pumper. The spokes on the rims of the tires are made of wood, and the rear axle is chain driven.
|
 |
|
1931 American LaFrance
This 1931 American LaFrance 6 cylinder open cab ladder truck came with a pressurized water tank. It has 8 different oak wood ladders totalling 175 feet.
|
 |
|
Bucket Brigade Buckets
During the days of the bucket brigade, every homeowner had a bucket on their porch. When a fire alarm rang out, they would throw these buckets out to the passing fire crews. Once the fire was out, not every bucket made its way back to the homeowner because the buckets could be used for things other than water. Therefore, some unique designs appeared that would force the bucket to be hung, rather than be used for other purposes.
|
 |
|
Communication Gear
Before radios, firemen were dispatched by a siren. Seen here are various old tube type radios and associated pagers. Two hand written logs of fire scene events may also be seen in this picture. The box in the bottom right of the picture turned the two existing stop lights red so fire apparatus could safely pass.
|
 |
|
Tools
Seen are various hydrant and spanner wrenches.
Also shown are some different nozzzles that were used in the past.
|
 |
|
Helmets and Clothing
Seen here are various styles of helmets used by New Braunfels Fire Dept. The coat was asbestos with matching gloves and head gear!!
|
 |
|
Metal Helmet
This helmet is made of metal. It was used long ago by some of the first New Braunfels firemen. The metal conducted heat and was heavy. Designs changed to leather and now fiberglass composite material.
|
 |
|
|