Snorkel

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The Snorkel is an aerial firefighting device developed by the Snorkel Fire Equipment Company. 
In 1958 the Pitman Manufacturing Company built an experimental new aerial device for the Chicago Fire Department. This device provided a semi-enclosed platform or basket on the end of a 50'articulating boom. Plumbing ran along the boom to supply water to a master stream device on the platform. The base was mounted on a turn table mounted to the truck. This piece of equipment soon received the nickname "snorkel" and that name stuck. 
The new aerial offered a maneuverable elevated master stream and a way to provide aid to victims that were in a location difficult to reach with a conventional aerial ladder. The platform also allowed for the rescue of individuals who may not have been able to safely climb down a ladder. 
In 1959 Pitman established a separate division, the Snorkel Fire Equipment Company to build these new aerials for fire departments.
The Snorkel was initially available in 50', 65', and 85' lengths. A 75' model was added in 1962. Also in 1962 the Winnipeg Fire Department acquired the first 3 section, 90' Snorkel. In 1970 the 50' model was replaced by an improved 55' version. 
Sales of articulating boom aerial platforms had declined by the 1990s, and production of the Snorkel ended around 2000. In 2014 the Ladder Tower Company acquired Snorkel, and once again began to offer the Snorkel in 55', 66', 75' and 85' models. 
Snorkel became synonymous with the articulating boom aerial platform and several other manufacturers would attach the snorkel name to their own articulating aerial devices. 
Category:Aerial devices