Tower 39 was delivered on July 2, 2003 to the Bowie Volunteer Fire Department. It will be assigned to the Belair Fire Station, on Annapolis Road. It replaces a Prince George's County Fire Department (PGFD) owned 1989 Seagrave ladder truck that is currently assigned to Company 39. The truck was built by Pierce Manufacturing, of Appleton, Wisconsin.

Tower 39 is a 2003 Pierce Dash with a 95-foot reconditioned "Aerialscope" aerial boom.  Pierce removed and reused an existing 95-foot "Aerialscope" boom from a retired 1991 New York City Fire Department (FDNY) CF Mack tower ladder. It was reconditioned, repainted and reinstalled on a new fabricated chassis/body.  The completed tower is now capable of seating seven firefighters and will feature an enclosed crew cab with a ten inch raised roof. The Gross Vehicle Weight is 75,000 pounds and is powered by a six cylinder, 14.0 liter, 855 cubic inch Detroit Diesel Series 60 engine with Turbocharger and Jacob's engine brake.  The transmission is an Allison EVS-4000P automatic transmission.  It features a hydraulic pump driven 10 KVA Harrison electric generator. 

The BVFD cost for this apparatus expansion project was funded primarily by donations from the citizens of Bowie and contributions from commercial community members who support and advocate continuous improvements to the fire and emergency medical services.

(FDNY Tower 153 as purchased by Bowie VFD in order to be rebuilt as Tower 39 - click to enlarge photos)


(Tower 39 construction in progress - click to enlarge photos)

(Tower 39 as delivered - click to enlarge photos)

The original Tower Ladder purchased by the Bowie VFD was FDNY Tower Ladder 153. Ladder Company 153 is based in the New York City Borough of Brooklyn along with Engine 254.



(FDNY Tower 153 in service and operating at WTC after 9/11/01 - click to enlarge photos)


(FDNY Tower 153 operating at WTC after 9/11/01 - click to enlarge photos)


(Replacement FDNY Tower 153 and its current station - click to enlarge photos)