Hook and Ladder Company 2 of the Long Beach Fire Department was originally stationed at the West End Firehouse, today known as Station Two (Indiana Ave.). Upon the delivery of the 1965 American LaFrance Snorkel, the 1953 American LaFrance mid-ship mounted 100-foot aerial ladder was relocated to Fire Headquarters, and a Uniformed Force chauffeur was assigned to drive the truck to alarms. Thus, members of Hook and Ladder Company 2 manned trucks from both Station Two and from Fire Headquarters.

In 1968, the company was divided into two separate companies. Snorkel Company was created, and remained at Station Two. It was then that Hook and Ladder Company 2, under the leadership of Captain Jerome LaMagna, who had served as Chief of Department from 1966 through 1968, began its first year of operating solely from Headquarters.

In 1976, the Department purchased a Maxim rear-mounted 100-foot aerial ladder. The lime green colored truck was placed into service for Hook and Ladder 2, and the 1953 American LaFrance was relocated to Station 1, where it replaced Hook and Ladder Company 1’s 1947 American LaFrance 100-foot aerial ladder.

In 1990, the company took delivery of a Pierce 105 foot ladder tower and operated it for 19 years. The Pierce was replaced in 2008 with a Ferrara 105 foot ladder tower. It is the longer of the Department’s two ladders. It is also the longest ladder on the barrier island; hence, the company slogan, “Longest Reach on the Beach.”