FDNY SUPER PUMPER SYSTEM

Here is some information about the one and only fire fighting equipment that was owned by the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). The Super Pumper System .

The Super Pumper

This unit was a moblie pumping station , this unit had a pumping capacity that was close to the largest fireboat. It consisted of a diesel engine(Napier Deltic model T18-37C). The engine was an 18 cylinder engine that operated on a two stroke cycle, and had a mechanically driven turbocharger. On the back of the engine was a 6 stage centrifugal pump by Deval. The pump got its water from special high pressure hydrants or it could use its 12 inch suction hose that would be lowered by the winch that was mounted on the rear. The hose would be lowered into the river or the harbor for water supply. This unit would supply the tender and the satellites the water they needed for firefigthing.

The Super Pumper Tender

This was the second unit in the super pumper system. It carried over 2,000 feet of 4 1/2 inch supply line. The tenders tractor had a very large deluge gun (deck gun) it had the capacity of 4,000 gallons of water per minute. The tender also had a rear steering wheel similar to a tiller it was used to help and position the unit.

The Satellites

The satellites were the third part of the super pumper system , they are three of these units which also had the large deluge gun (deck gun) they could be used with or without the SPS. When the entire super pumper system were in use they would be pumping at least 37 tons of water per minute, and figthing a fire from any angle .

NOTE : The Satellite pictured is one of the orignal satellites, they have since been replaces with the new style Mack MR Series satellites which are now part of the Maxi-Water System which replaced the SPS. This latest bit of information regarding the Satellites was given to me by Retired FDNY FireFighter Ken Martin.

The Super Pumper and Tender were retired back in 1980 and are now privately owned.

information from Retired FDNY FireFighter Ken Martin and various net sources

The pics of the Super Pumper Sysytem were an internet find , credit goes to the original photographer.