While a fireman with the DCFD from August 1979 until August 1982 there were 32 Engine Companies and 17 truck companies. All the truck companies were tillers except L 10 that was a Sutphen Tower Ladder. We had 4 Rescue companies, refered to as Squads. They were a combination company, engine/ rescue. If the engine was first due at a box the rescue was left behind and filled in by the next rescue company. Guys left their turnout gear in the middle of the floor. Turnouts were extremely fast. Every house was hooked into the communications system for all to hear. One tone was usually a "medical local" or "local" that required engine only. Two tones everyones ears perked up as a "Box Alarm" was coming over. As soon as you heard the first companies announced, you knew you would be going and ran to the rig, turnout during the day was less than a minute.
We had a 4 man two piece engine companies. The newer rig was called a "wagon", three men rode on the wagon plus the officer. DC has a rank called Sargeant. They are usually covering officers, if all positions are filled, they ride the truck. The wagon was a conventional Ford (1973) and had a box that we rode in. One man was called the "lineman" the other "layout". On the back of the rig was three pre-connects. Usually the lineman ran with the hose loaded over his shoulder to the scene. The layout caught up after laying out. On every box, the first due and second due laid hose no matter the condition. The pumper which usually was an older piece as shown above in Macks snaps of the 68 Fords and Ward LaFrances followed behind with just the Pumper driver. Later the DCFD bought Hahn's that were Wagons. Both pieces were set up the same way with hose layouts. If the first piece had to go to the shops the Pumper moved up and became the wagon and we rode the back step. Later after I left the two piece company system was disbanded and all companies had a single piece, the wagon.
On a box alarm, 4 engines, 2 trucks, a rescue and chief responded. Remember, each engine had two pieces, therefore, standing on a corner watching, you could observe 8 engines, 2 tillers a rescue and chief swoop by. The 1st and 3rd due companies responded to the front of the building, the 2 and 4th due in the rear alleyway. DC had a network of alleys on every block, the Wagon Drivers needed to know thier locations.
In my opinion, the Engine 82 L31 of DCFD was Engine 9 and Ladder 9 in the NW section of DC. They were right in the middle of the destructive 68 riots. Most engines ran about 2,000 runs, the busiest around 3,500. Photo is my Engine 21 "Wagon". We were called the "Alleyrats" since we ran 2nd due to a large area and always seemed to be in an alley.