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 there until 1994.

Explore ALF/K History

During that nearly decade long span, well 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

Several Century 2000s were built at the various American LaFrance Service Centers.

Additionally, 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
City of Bluefield WV 1985 Ford/American LaFrance fire engine, Engine 7.
An original sales sheet for the American LaFrance Century 2000 model pumper. Outlining the 'standard" features of the fire apparatus. Detaining the chassis, cab, engine, transmission, electrical system, axles/suspension, tires/wheels, pump, water tank, pump enclosure, body, and sales/service of the ALF/Kersey company.
Artistic graphic of Jack Griebel's image of Albany NY FD Century 2000 pumper. The first Century 2000 model built.
Graphic- featuring Skyline Lakes, Ringwood 1986 Century 2000 pumper.
Skyline Lakes Fd, Ringwood NJ
Artistic graphic- Century 2000 Series pumper built for Middlebury CT FD. Assembled at the ALF Service Center, Dunmore PA, arguably one of the first few 4-door sedan cab Century 2000s.
Middlebury FD, Middlebury CT
Artistic graphic featuring the twin American LaFrance pumpers built for Deer Park NY FD
Deer Park FD, Deer Park NY
Graphic- featuring Rialto CA American LaFrance Pacemaker model. The first Pacemaker model built, which was constructed on a PEMFAB cab & chassis.
Rialto FD, Rialto CA
Artistic graphic- featuring Clifton NJ Fire Department 1986 Century pumper.
Clifton FD. Clifton
Alert ART
Alert FC, Great Neck NY
Albany T4 Graphic
Albany FD
City of Pittsburgh 1992 American LaFrance Century 2000, quint, aerial ladder truck. Engine 27
Pittsburgh FD
Century 2000, "Stainless More Than Skin Deep"
Production Highlights
MiddleburyE4
Albany 2000_02
uniondale water chief
Sykesville MD
Pittsburgh PA
Dickson City PA
NewWindsor
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south fire middletown
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Neffsville
Middlebury CT
IMG_0419
Circa 1986 American LaFrance Century 2000 original sales brochure. Featuring Albany FD Century 2000 pumper- the first built.

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, Bill Friedrich 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.