AMERICAN LAFRANCE

1985 - 1994 Historical Database

CENTURY 2000 SERIES Archive

Explore production records, historical photos and insights into American LaFrance's Bluefield Era
The Definitive Digital Chronical Of That Age, Highlighting the Century 2000 Series

In 1985, the Figgie International facility, Kersey Manufacturing Company at 600 Mountain Lane, Bluefield, Virginia became the “new” home to American LaFrance. Production of American Lafrance fire apparatus continued until 1994.

During that nearly decade long time span, over 100 pieces of fire apparatus were built. Those fire apparatus included:

– Century 2000 Series

– Pacemaker Series

– Patriot 90 Series

– Patriot Series

The Century 2000 Series were built as pumpers, Ladder Chief[1], Water Chief[2], and Water Chief II[3] models

Additionally, several Century2000s were built at the various American LaFrance Service Centers.

Also, many Elmira-Era fire apparatus were refurbished at Bluefield and the Service Centers. Many of those refurbished had their frames extended and Century 2000 cabs attached. Finally, three Century 200 cab & chassis were provided to other fire apparatus manufacturers for finishing- 1 to Saulsbury Fire Apparatus and 2 to LTI- Ladder Tower Industires.

The Bluefield Era represents a brief but significant chapter in American LaFrance’s history, bridging traditional craftsmanship with modern safety standards during a turbulent period for the company.
Many of the apparatus built remain in service, and other as collectibles, preserved by enthusiasts.

[1] Ladder Chief: 100 ft steel American LaFrance aerial ladder in rear mount, mid-ship mount, or tractor drawn configurations.

[2] Water Chief: 100 ft steel American LaFrance aerial ladder in rear mount or mid-ship mount with pre-piped waterways to the tip of the ladder.

[3] Water Chief II: 75 ft steel American LaFrance aerial ladder in rear mount with pre-piped waterways to the tip of the ladder

  • Pacemaker- lower cost, semi custom apparatus with a PEMFAB [Pemberton Fabrications] cab and chassis.
  • Patriot 90- lower cost apparatus with Spartan cab and chassis.
  • Patriot- tilt cab-over-engine designed for American LaFrance by Advanced Design Industries as a “newer” alternative.
Serial numbers 2001-Ringwood, 2003- Deer Park, 2002- Middlebury
Rebel colorized
Century2000Pamphlet 0 Page
2000 Oil painting
ALF Century 2000 sales pamphlet
ALF Century 2000 Series sales pamphlet
Ringwood ART
Skyline Lakes Fd, Ringwood NJ
2002 oil painting
Middlebury FD, Middlebury CT
Deer Park twins ART
Deer Park FD, Deer Park NY
Rialto ART
Rialto FD, Rialto CA
Clifton E6 ART
Clifton FD. Clifton
Alert ART
Alert FC, Great Neck NY
Century 2000, "Stainless More Than Skin Deep"
Production Highlights
MiddleburyE4
Albany 2000_02
uniondale water chief
Sykesville MD
Pittsburgh PA
Dickson City PA
NewWindsor
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
??????????????????????
south fire middletown
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Neffsville
Middlebury CT
IMG_0419
C2000 Pemfab Chassis
Century 2000 original sales brochure

I am deeply indebted to the many individuals who have contributed multiple photographs to this work.  My sincere thanks goes out to Scott Fralic, Dave Organ, Mike Martinelli, Ron Bogardus, John Kenealy, Eli Gill, Mike Murphy, George Murphy, Mike Kosydar, Richard Story, Mark Redman, Neal Van Deusen, Maria & Jim Slocum, Patrick Shoop Jr, Jason Giszewski, Dennis Wetherhold Jr, Frank Boyd, Rodney Johnson and many others.  All known photo credits are on individual pages- please don’t feel slighted if I failed to mention your name here- the photo is greatly appreciated. If you have a photo of any of the apparatus produced at the ALF/Kersey plant or refurbed at any of the Service Centers please forward it to the webmaster so that it may be included in our apparatus pages.