Trhowback Thursday - Apparatus of our past: Unit 8-5-6
 
By Web Team
January 16, 2025
 

This week we look back at pictures are that have recently surfaced on a local facebook page detailing the history of the North Fork.
In one picture is our 1958 ford Pick-up, 8-5-6 during a parade in Southold.

This truck served the citizens of the Cutchogue Fire District from 1958-1981 or so until it was replaced by our first Fire Police van.

This truck served several purposes throughout its career.

The new pick-up was purchased as a replacement for our Hose Car that was damaged while responding to a call in Mattituck.

8-5-6 had a large step and handrail on the rear to transport firemen to alarms at a time when it was common practice. It also carried indian cans and tools for brush fires and was also used to respond to First Aid alarms as well.

The truck was utilized by the drill team to transport the team to parades and drills.

For many years this truck was the only truck to carry the department's iconic Panther logo on its side.

In the summer the truck attended many parades and could be seen carrying the CFD chicken Barbecue sign advertising for the now-famous event as is shown in the picture.

After being removed from service the truck was sold as surplus to a private a private bidder. The whereabouts of the truck today are sadly unknown as it was a CFD favorite.

The Cutchogue Fire Department is proud of our 97 years of dedicated service to the community. We are always looking for any old & historical articles representing our past for display on our website and in our firehouse.

If any member of the community has any photographs, newspaper clippings or historical artifacts pertaining to the Cutchogue Fire Department, please contact the website team at cutfd@optonline.net or contact the firehouse at 734-6907.

Photos and clippings are able to be scanned and returned to the owners.

Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to this ongoing project.

Please visit our historical photo galleries for a look back into our proud history https://www.cutchoguefiredept.org/apps/public/gallery/?gallery=Historical

 
Units: 8-5-6