Fleet History

The First A-10, a 1976 Chevrolet Step-Van, Ex. Jersey City Gong Club Canteen Car 26 (Acquired and placed into service in 2004). The BSA had previously operated the Salvation Army’s canteen (A-30), but the Salvation Army decided to cease canteen operations in 1995.

(To learn more about Car 26’s journey to Boston - click here)

In 2006, the Boston Sparks Association had to replaced the original A-10 canteen truck due to serious mechanical issues with the unit that deemed it beyond economical repair. The costs to effect repairs to bring the unit up to a road safe condition were exorbitant due to its age and expected continued serviceability. The original A-10 has quite a storied history first serving Jersey City New Jersey and the Gong Club since 1976. During its time with the Gong Club Car 26 it made over 2,111 runs of service to the firefighters of the North Jersey Area, before being relocated on its longest mutual aid run to Boston.

During the twenty months in service as A-10 it responded to ninety-seven calls for service including fires, Haz-Mat incidents, funeral details and similar non-emergency community service related runs. On May 1, 2006 we put in service the “new” A-10 a 1981 Chevrolet C20 van very similar to the original A-10. This unit was graciously donated to us by the Falmouth Fire Department where it served as their dive truck. After some modifications to the rear compartment area, additional lighting and radios, new batteries and routine service the “New” A-10 was ready to roll. The first run for the “New” A-10 was to the Milton/Randolph Fire Departments for an extensive brush fire in the Blue Hills Reservation. BSA continued to make upgrades and add equipment to the newer unit as time and funding permits.

2006 was a tough year for the Boston Sparks Rehab

• The 1976 Chevrolet Truck was placed out of service permanently due to mechanical issues during January of 2006.

• The 1981 Chevrolet Donated by the Falmouth Fire Department was placed in service during May but the engine seized during a run to Wellesley in September and the cost of repairs to this vehicle was deemed too excessive due to its age.

We were fortunate to receive a donation of a 1992 Ford E350 from Chief Gerald Reardon and the Cambridge Fire Department, which was placed in service on January 11, 2007. The vehicle began it’s career with Professional EMS, and served as the CFD Dive Truck before being donated to the BSA.

In 2012, A10 received a 1997 International Converted Ambulance, and introduced a new unit, A11, which operated a 2000 Ford Expedition. Both units operated until being replaced in 2015.

Photo Credit Doug Boudrow