History of Truck 2
Hook and Ladder Company No.2 was placed in service September 12, 1859 in the Old Howard Fire House located at Paca Street just north of Fayette Street. The truck was bought used from the Mount Vernon Hook and Ladder Company. John H. Thompson was named Foreman.
April 11,1875: Box# 35-1610hrs - 95 Garden St - Fire involved a grocery store & dwelling - After getting the fire under control, Hook & Ladder #2 went into the the cellar with Chief Hennick to overhaul - A barrel of coal oil was ignited by a lamp in the hands of one of the firefighters - It exploded & everyone in the cellar was badly burned - Substitute E. C. Keyser had his face & hands burned - Captain Houck was burned about the face, head & hands, & was totally blind for about (3) weeks - Chief Hennick had burns about the hands, face & neck - Ladderman Lewis J. Rudolph fell & was dragged out by Captain Houck - He was severely burned about the face, neck, head, & hands - Ladderman Rudolph died from his injuries almost a year later on 3/27/1876 - He was buried in Baltimore Cemetery on 3/30/1876.
September 2, 1888: Hook and Ladder No.2 responded to 107 Sharp Street for a fire in a 5-story brick warehouse. Fire was showing from the first floor front and rear and heavy smoke showing from the rest of the floors; second and third alarms were sounded. Engine Company 7 and Hook and Ladder No.2 quickly made their way to the top floor of 105 Sharp Street so a hole could be cut in the wall and a hose could be put in service from next door in to the burning building. The men were ordered out of the building as the wall of 107 Sharp Street swayed. The wall was deemed safe and the men were ordered back in. As they were going back up the steps the wall came down and took everything into the basement including the brave members of Engine 7 and Hook and Ladder No.2. Killed instantly were Laddermen Thomas Wagner, John Acomb, Callman George Bowers and Substitute Patrick Ryan all from Hook and Ladder No.2. From Engine Company 7 Pipeman Henry Walker, George Kerns, and Substitute Hiriam McAfee were also killed.
Sunday February 7, 1904: Engine Company 15 and Hook and Ladder No. 2 responded to The John E. Hurst Co. located at German Street (now Redwood St.) between Hopkins Place and Liberty St. for a basement fire. The members entered the building when a loud rumble was heard. The men started to back out. Another explosion shook the building and the men landed on the sidewalk. The four-twos signal were sounded from Box No. 414. Another explosion blew the roof off and brought the building down on to the rigs of Engine 15 and Hook and Ladder No.2 which were crushed. None of the men were injured. The Great Baltimore Fire had begun. When it was over nearly 140 acres and 1500 buildings were destroyed in the city’s central business district.
July 19, 1907: Ladderman Augustus Gesswein while on his meal hour, passing the corner of Jackson and Clement Streets, displayed heroic gallant conduct in extricating a small 10 year boy entangled in a live electric wire on the ground.
September 13, 1907: Ladderman Augustus Gesswein fell down an elevator shaft and was killed while working on the third floor in heavy smoke conditions at Box 3-3 523, 404-406 S. Eutaw Street.
January 1, 1908: Hook and Ladder Companies will be called Truck Companies
May 1, 1909: Moved in with Engine Company 23 on Saratoga Street.
1910: Moved back to rebuilt quarters west side of Paca Street. House was 150' deep by 33' wide at a cost of $26,715. Hence the name "The Cave".
August 28, 1973: Truck Company No. 2 along with Engine Companies 15, 23, 27, Water Tower 1, Battalion Chief 5 and Ambulance 1 moved in to the brand new John F. Steadman Fire and Pumping Station located at 15 South Eutaw Street. They joined Rescue 1who moved in August 13th because their new mack rig would not fit in their old quarters at Paca and Mulberry Streets.
August 16, 1979: Truck Company 2 received a used and rebuilt 1973 American Lafrance 85 foot Snorkel. This is the same rig that toppled over in 1975.
September 29, 1989: Truck Company 2 disbanded along with Engine Company 28 to form Aerial Tower 102 - John M. Kelly, Captain. Truck Company No. 2 would reappear many times over the years, when Aerial Tower 102 was out of service due to many, many mechanical problems.
January 8, 2002: Truck Company 2 back in service using a second line tiller truck.
July 10, 2003: Truck Company 2 placed in service using a new 2002 Seagrave 100 foot rear mount aerial ladder with five man cab. Cost $466,500. Captain Ray Ryan
July 16, 2003: "C" Shift had the first working fire with the new truck at 2350 hours.
July 21, 2007: Truck Company 2 placed in service a new 2007 105' Pierce Arrow XT on "A" shift. Cost $629,000.00. Captain James Payne
