The Corn Binders

Many of the men who worked for Los Angeles area fire departments in the 1950s grew up on farms before moving to California. Almost every farm boy in those times was familiar with International Harvester tractors and agricultural implements, including corn binders. But International also manufactured trucks. Throughout rural America those trucks often were referred to as "corn binders" or simply as "binders." When International trucks were used as fire engines, they often acquired the familiar agricultural nickname.

From 1950 through 1952 the Los Angeles County Fire Department purchased eighteen new pumpers from the Coast Fire Apparatus Company of Martinez, California. They were built on International Harvester R-203 chassis and powered by 935 cubic inch Hall-Scott gasoline engines. Equipped with 1,000 GPM Hale pumps and 90 GPM road pumps, these Internationals had 500 gallon water tanks. The in-line six-cylinder Hall-Scott engine was mounted above and forward of the front axle. This resulted in a relatively short wheelbase and a prominent nose - that was equipped with a "Light from Mars" warning light.

This photo of Engine 49 (later renumbered as Engine 209) was taken in front of the original Fire Station 9 on South Compton Ave. This was one of the early models that were delivered without doors on the cab. The driver (Engineer) in this photo appears to be Walter P. Meagher. (Photo courtesy of Jim Calderon)

Engineer Ray Stohl poses with newly delivered International at Fire Station 52 (Altadena) in 1952. (Photo by Dale Magee)

The power-to-weight ratio of the "corn binders" made for relatively fast acceleration and good performance in hilly terrain. In spite of a short turning radius they lacked power steering, and most Engineers complained about the "armstrong method" of maneuvering the Internationals through city traffic and mountain roads.

Crew of Engine 24 (Walnut Park) drill with the then-new MSA demand-type breathing apparatus with their 1951 International Model R-203 pumper in background. (L.A. County F.D. photo)

Shortly after taking delivery, the crew of Engine 182 (later renumbered as Engine 282) posed with their new International pumper in 1952. Left to right, Captain Lyman Whitlatch, unknown Engineer, Fireman Ray Harrel, and Fireman Paul Van de Wettering. This engine was assigned to Fire Station 82 in La Canada. In August 1965, it was dispatched to the Watts riots where it pumped faithfully for many hours on numerous commercial structure fires. (Photo by Dale Magee)

As noted in Dave Boucher’s book, "Devil Wind Fire Wagons," the first few of L.A. County’s Internationals were delivered without doors on the cabs. Later models had doors but they usually were removed during warm weather to improve cockpit ventilation. Also, it was common for the side panels of the hoods to be removed during fire season. All of the "corn binders" had open cabs, but the big Hall-Scott engines generated lots of heat, much of which flowed into the cockpit.

In March 1958 a major fire occurred at the Hancock Oil Refinery in Signal Hill. Here, Engine 245 (Lakewood) can be seen supplying at least two 2-1/2 inch hose lines. It was common to raise the hood panels on the Internationals to cool the engine during pumping operations. (L.A. County F.D. photo)

In this photo from about 1955, Engines 17 (left) and 15 can be seen parked on the ramp in front of Fire Station 17 in Santa Fe Springs. In 1958 the City of Santa Fe Springs formed its own fire department and this station ultimately was demolished. (photo courtesy of Everett Wright)

The museum has an International/Coast in its collection. See the Collection page (Apparatus 1) for a photo and information.