Paoli Fire Co., Paoli, PA bought 
a Mack pumper new in 1951.
Here is the 1951 Mack in a photo 
from a 1967 fund raising brochure. 

In 1971, Paoli Fire Co. sent the Mack to the 
Snorkel Co. to have a 55' boom installed. 

Here is the 1951 Mack with 55' Snorkel Retrofit.
Photo taken in 1974. Notice value of the rig, 
in the caption, at the time. 

Snorkel 36 in service at the Betsy Ross Candy Co.
fire in Paoli, February 8, 1973. Factory made 
chocolate candy bars for school fund raising events. 
The blaze started in mid-afternoon, and it was early
the next morning before units cleared up. The 
business was a total loss. There had been a delay 
in the reporting of the fire by employees who thought 
they had contained an earlier accidental fire.  

Snorkel 36 in service at the Caley Nursing Home fire
in Wayne, PA in December 1973. The Caley Nursing Home
fire killed 14 patients, hospitalized 24 others and 
injured seven firefighters. 

Snorkel 36 in service at the Phelps School fire
in Malvern, PA in the mid 70's. 

Snorkel 36 in service at the Phelps School fire
in Malvern, PA in the mid 70's. 

Snorkel 36 in service at the Vishay Electronics plant fire
in (Frazer) Malvern, PA in the mid 70's. 

Snorkel 36 in service at the Vishay Electronics plant fire
in (Frazer) Malvern, PA in the mid 70's. This particular photo
was sent to Snorkel, who later used it as a full page ad
for their equipment in Fire Engineering and Fire Chief 
magazines in the 70's. 

1951 Mack with 1971 - 55' Snorkel Retrofit
in 1977 photo from Kimberton Fire Co. 
Parade and Housing booklet.

Paoli Fire Co. sold the unit to Kimberton Fire Co. 
(also in Chester County, PA) in 1976, when Paoli FC 
replaced it with an 85' Pierce Oshkosh Snorkel. 

1951 Mack with 1971 - 55' Snorkel Retrofit
in 2000 photo from Forest Lake VFD, 
in Montrose area of PA.

The rig was later purchased from Kimberton FC, 
by Frank Capotosto, of the Newtown Square Fire. Co. 
in Pennsylvania. Frank has leased the unit to the 
Forest Lake Volunteer Fire Dept. for $1 /yr. for their use. 
Capt. Ron Dawson of the FLVFD recently sent these photos.    
Fred Capotosto, Frank's son, is currently 2nd Asst. Chief 
at Forest Lake VFD. 

Truck is still in service with a rural area VFD. 
Shown here working at a house fire drill.  

1951 Mack with 1971 - 55' Snorkel Retrofit
in 2000 photo from Forest Lake VFD, 
in Montrose area of PA.

Shown here working at same house fire drill.  

1951 Mack with 1971 - 55' Snorkel Retrofit
in 2000 photo from Forest Lake VFD, 
in Montrose area of PA.

Shown here working at same house fire drill. 

Copyright © 2004 ODHFS, Inc.
Updated: December 26, 2004