AMERICAN LAFRANCE
CENTURY 2000 SERIES Archive
1986 - 1994
Explore production records, historical photos and insights into American LaFrance's Century 200 Series
Fire Apparatus Built at the ALF/Kersey Facility in Bluefield VA
Along with those built or refurbished at American LaFrance's Service Centers
The site is in the process of what will most likely be, its final update. Please have patience during the process.
In 1985, the Figgie International facility, Kersey Manufacturing Company at 600 Mountain Lane, Bluefield, Virginia became the “new” home to American LaFrance. A Ford cab-over chassis, along with a modular body brought from the Southport, NY plant became the first apparatus produced at the ALF/Kersey facility. This apparatus was nick-named “The Rebel” and was sold to the near-by Bluefield, West Virginia Fire Department. Later, the Century 2000 cab was designed and its production was launched with a stainless steel body, canopy-cab, 1000 GPM pumper built for the city of Albany, New York Fire Department. Production of the ALF/Kersey apparatus continued until 1994.
During that nearly decade long time span, over 100 pieces of fire apparatus were built. 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.
Production Highlights
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.