In 1892, the Simmons Company of Kenosha, Wisconsin burned to the ground, despite the local volunteer firefighter’s best efforts to save the structure. A wagon maker at the time, Peter Pirsch, vowed firefighters would be better equipped for future catastrophes. Three years later, in 1895, the first horse drawn Hose Cart for Kenosha rolled off the line. Due to its proximity to the manufacturing plant, Waukesha and many other midwestern cities were supporters and purchasers of Pirsch fire apparatus.
This Pirsch & Sons Open Cab Pumper lettered for the WFD arrived on March 7, 1949 with a serial # of 1830.