Wayne

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN SOME PLACES

"UNITS"

ARE CALLED

"PLATOONS"

DO YOU KNOW

WHAT GAMEWELLS ADVERTISING SLOGAN WAS?

"A BOX A BLOCK"

DO YOU KNOW

THAT
NEW YORK
SAN FRANCISCO
&
CHICAGO

STILL HAS SOME "GAMEWELL " CORNER FIRE ALARM BOXES IN OPERATION.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SOME EARLY VOLUNTEERS WORE BANDANAS AROUND THEIR NECKS.

AT A FIRE THEY WORE THEM AROUND THEIR NOSE TO TRY TO FILTER OUT THE SMOKE OR

AROUND THE BACKS OF THEIR NECKS TO KEEP THEIR NECK FROM BURNING.

NOTE BACK IN THE 60s I CAN RECALL SOME OF THE "OLD TIMERS" WRAPPING A DEPARTMENT TOWEL

AROUND THEIR NECK BEFORE SNAPPING THE TOP OF THEIR FIRE COAT.

DO YOU KNOW

YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW INEFFICIENT IT WAS TO THROW A BUCKET OF WATER ON A FLAMING HOUSE THAT

WAS MADE ENTIRELY OF WOOD WITH A THATCH ROOF (DRIED GRASS, STRAW AND PITCH) . ACTUALLY ONCE

"GOING THROUGHOUT" THE HEAT PROBABLY WAS TOO HOT TO GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO HIT THE FIRE WITH

ANY WATER FROM THE BUCKETS.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT WATCHMEN'S RATTLES WERE USUALLY MADE OF

MAHOGANY
OAK
OR
MAPLE

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SOME EARLY RIGS HAD PNEUMATIC TIRES IN FRONT AND SOLID TIRES IN BACK.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SOME OF THE EARLY LADDER TRUCKS WERE BUILT ON SCHOOL BUS FRAMES.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT A CHAIN DRIVEN RIG

WAS CHEAPER TO MANUFACTURE

THEN A SHAFT DRIVEN ONE.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER

YELLING
"HERE COMES THE WATER"

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN LONDON

THEY HAD THREE AND FOUR WHEELED BICYCLE HOSE CARTS.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT A 1908 MASSACHUSETTS SQUAD CARRIED POMPIER LADDERS ON TOP OF THEIR RIG.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN SOME OF THE SMALLER COMMUNITIES THEY COULDN'T AFFORD TO TO BUY A FIRE PUMPER .

THEREFORE THEY BUILT THEIR OWN BY USING A FRAME FROM AN OLD TRUCK AND OUTFITTING IT WITH A

PUMP, FITTINGS, HOSEBED AND HOSE.

DO YOU REMEMBER

USING THE SPACE BETWEEN THE FORK OF THE HALLIGAN BAR TO TURN OFF A GAS METER IF YOU DIDN'T

HAVE A WRENCH..

DO YOU KNOW

HOW MANY BRASS POLES WERE AT HEADQUARTERS.

COME ON OLD TIMER YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS AS YOU WAXED THEM WHEN I WAS A YOUNG

"WHIPPER SNAPPER" SO I WOULD ZIP DOWN..

YOU ALSO POLISHED THEM AND LEFT THE POLISH ON AND THEN RAN A "TEST ALERT" .

I HAD DRIED WHITE POLISH ALL OVER MY UNIFORM.

THERE WERE

"EIGHT" BRASS POLES

"SEVEN" POLES FOR THE FIREMEN
&
"ONE" FOR THE CHIEF

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE FIRST ENGINE COMPANIES WERE , IN ACTUALITY, TWO COMPANIES. THEY WERE

PUMPERS, WHETHER HAND OR STEAMER, FOLLOWED BY A HOSE CART / WAGON.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE ONLY ITEMS CARRIED ON A STEAMER WAS:

TWO HARD SUCTIONS
TWO LANTERNS
ONE OIL CAN
ONE COAL SHOVEL
ONE POKER
HORSE BLANKETS

LATER ON THEY INSTALLED A SMALL HOSE BOX BETWEEN THE PUMP AND THE HORSES, WITH A

MINIMUM AMOUNT OF HOSE

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SOME STATES OUTLAWED FIRE APPARATUS SIRENS DURING THE PERIOD THAT

STILL HAD A LOT OF HORSES ON THEIR STREETS AS IT SCARED THEM.

"NOTE"

I SAW SOME PICTURES OF SODA & ACID EXTINGUISHERS WITH SHUT OFF NOZZLES ON THEM.

I ALSO READ WHERE DUE TO THE HIGH PRESSURE GENERATED WHEN THE ACID WAS DUMPED INTO THE SODA WATER THAT THERE WAS A DANGER OF THE EXTINGUISHER EXPLODING.

THE SODA & ACID EXTINGUISHER WE USED DIDN'T HAVE A SHUTOFF ON ITS NOZZLE.

ONCE YOU "DUMPED THE CAN" YOU USED IT ALL UP.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER

THAT BESIDES
THE HARDEE GUN
THERE WAS
THE BEAN GUN

DO YOU REMEMBER

THAT OUR OLD FIRE BOOTS DIDN'T HAVE STEEL SOLES IN THEM.
REMEMBER A NAIL GOING THROUGH YOUR BOOT AND INTO YOUR FOOT

REMEMBER GOING TO THE OLD RECEIVING HOSPITAL AND GETTING A TETANUS SHOT.

REMEMBER THE FIRST STEEL TOES WERE JUST THIN STEEL

WHEN SOMETHING HEAVY FELL ON THE TOE PART OF YOUR BOOT IT WOULD

CRUSH THE STEEL DOWN TO YOUR TOES.

THE LATER BOOTS HAD A HEAVIER GAUGE OF STEEL.

DO YOU REMEMBER

THE SAYING

"GOOD SAVE"

DO YOU KNOW

IN OUR DAY A "GOOD SAVE" WAS WHEN WE EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH MINIMUM DAMAGE

AND THE DWELLING WOULD BE LIVABLE IN A SHORT TIME.

IN THE EARLY TIMES A "GOOD SAVE" WAS WHEN THE DWELLING BURNT TO THE GROUND BUT THE

FIRE WAS KEPT FROM SPREADING TO OTHER BUILDINGS.

DO YOU REMEMBER

HOW MANY BEDS WERE IN HEADQUARTERS DORMITORY IN THE OLD DAYS.

"40 BEDS"

DO YOU KNOW

WHAT IT IS CALLED WHEN WE FOLDED THE BLANKET AT THE FOOT CORNERS OF
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BEDS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE

A "HOSPITAL FOLD"

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SOME EARLY RIGS HAD A DEVICE HOOKED UP TO THEIR EXHAUST SYSTEM TO THAW OUT

FROZEN HYDRANTS

DO YOU KNOW

THAT "X-RIGS" IN SOME CITIES ARE CALLED

"SECOND LINE COMPANIES"

DO YOU KNOW

WHILE THE VAST MAJORITY OF ALL FIRE APPARATUS HAS BLACKWALL TIRES THERE ARE SOME PICTURES OF AN APPARATUS WITH WHITEWALLS.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER

GETTING DETAILED TO THE TRAINING ACADEMY DURING A MULTIPLE TO PICK UP THE

"LIGHT UNIT" AND TAKE IT TO THE "EXTRA"

DO YOU KNOW

ON SOME PICTURES I SAW OF A " ONE SEATED" TRACTOR PULLING A STEAMER

AN OFFICER WAS ON THE BACK END WITH THE ENGINEER.

THE STOKER WASN'T ON THE BACK END WHERE HE USUALLY RODE.

R.H.I.P

RANK HAS ITS PRIVILEGES

DO YOU KNOW

THAT MOST OF THE TRACTORS THAT REPLACED THE HORSES IN PULLING THE STEAMERS EITHER

HAD TWO OR FOUR WHEELS.

SOME HAD THREE OR EVEN ONE WHEEL.

THE ONE WHEELED TRACTOR WAS CALLED AN AUTO HORSE.

IT DIDN'T WORK VERY WELL.

DO YOU KNOW

WHILE MOST ROPE PULLED BELLS ON OUR OLD APPARATUSES HAD A WOODEN KNOB ON

THE END TO PULL,
SOME HAD THE ROPE FORMED INTO A BALL KNOT.

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THIS KNOT??

A "MONKEYS FIST"

DO YOU REMEMBER THESE RIG LIGHTS

"MARS LIGHTS"

"GUMBALL MACHINE"

DO YOU KNOW

THAT WHILE THE VAST MAJORITY OF RED LINE IS WOUND ON HOSE REELS, THERE ARE PICTURES OF

THE RED LINE COILED IN METAL MESH BASKETS ON TOP OF THE PUMPERS.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT DURING THE LEAN YEARS MANY FIRE DEPARTMENT APPARATUS REPAIR SHOPS , RATHER THEN BUY A

NEW RIG, WOULD ASSEMBLE A RIG FROM THE MANY PARTS OF OLDER BROKEN RIGS.

THEN DURING THOSE LEAN YEARS THERE SPRUNG UP "REFURBISHING COMPANIES"..

THEY TOOK A COMMUNITIES RIG AND COMPLETELY REFURBISHED IT TO ALMOST NEW STATUS.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN 1794 THE FIREMEN IN PHILADELPHIA STARTED TO WEAR CAPES TO PROTECT THEM FROM THE

FLAMES.

TO TRY TO WATERPROOF THE CAPES THEY WERE PAINTED WITH OIL ,CLAY AND PIGMENTS..

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU KNOW

THAT A PROBLEM WITH USING THE TOWNS CHURCH BELLS TO SOUND AN ALARM OF FIRE WAS

WHEN A FIRE WAS ON SUNDAYS MORNING.

THERE WAS CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER IT WAS A CALL TO CHURCH OR TO A FIRE.

THEY DEVELOPED A BRASS FIRE BELL WITH A DEEPER RING TO IT.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT WHILE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THAT OFTEN BUT EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE CENTRAL WOULD SEND YOU OUT

TO WIND A HIGH FALSE ALARM BOX.

EVERY FIRE RIG HAD A FIRE ALARM BOX KEY IN THEIR GLOVE COMPARTMENT.

THE EARLY GAMEWELL BOXES HAD DIFFERENT KEYS BUT EVENTUALLY THE COMPANY

STANDARDIZED THE KEYS SO THERE WAS JUST ONE..

DO YOU REMEMBER

USING

THE GOOSENECK CELLAR PIPE

OR

THE DELUGE SET

DO YOU KNOW

WATERTOWERS WERE

BUILT FROM

35 FT. TO 76 FT.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT TO BE AN EXEMPT FIREMAN YOU WOULD HAVE TO HAVE BEEN A VOLUNTEER FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT

OF TIME. THEN YOU WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM HAVING TO SERVE WITH THE MILITIA OR BEING ON

JURY DUTY.

THE PERIOD OF TIME NEEDED CHANGED.

TEN YEARS IN 1816
SEVEN YEARS IN 1829
FIVE YEARS IN 1847

DO YOU KNOW

WHY MANY COMMUNITIES HAD TO START SUPPLYING THEIR OWN FIRE BUCKETS RATHER THEN RELYING ON

THE TOWNSPEOPLE OWNING THEIR OWN.

MANY PEOPLE NEVER GOT THEIR BUCKETS BACK AFTER THROWING THEM OUT ON THE STREET FOR A FIRE.

THEN IF THEY DIDN'T SHOW THAT THEY HAD THEIR BUCKETS THEY COULD BE FINED.

THEREFORE SOME JUST DIDN'T THROW THEM OUT ON THE STREET.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE PATTERN FOR THE SNORKEL WAS

A CHERRY PICKER

DO YOU KNOW

THAT DURING THE PERIOD OF THE 1920s TO 1930s MANY RIGS HAD EXHAUST WHISTLES

HOOKED UP TO THEIR UNMUFFLERED EXHAUST PIPE.

SIRENS EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE EXHAUST WHISTLE

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER

THE RASH OF BOWLING ALLY FIRES WHEN THE LANES WERE COATED WITH THE HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LACQUER

VERSUS TODAY'S LESS FLAMMABLE COATING

DO YOU KNOW

THAT WHILE WE STRETCH FROM THE FIRE TO THE HYDRANT

SOME OTHER COMPANIES STRETCH FROM THE HYDRANT TO THE FIRE.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT MOST WATCH TOWERS HAD A FLAG OR LANTERN POINTING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE FIRE.

IN THE EARLY TO MID 1800s IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY THERE WAS A FIREMAN STATUE WITH HIS ARM

OUTSTRETCHED IN THE TOWER.

THE STATUE WAS TURNED TO POINT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE FIRE.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN THE EARLY 1900s THE "CARBON TETRACHLORIDE EXTINGUISHER" WAS INVENTED.

WHEN APPLIED TO A FIRE IT SMOTHERS IT BY PRODUCING "PHOSGENE GAS."

IT WAS OUTLAWED IN 1968 AS "PHOSGENE IS A POISONOUS GAS" THAT INJURES / OR KILLS PEOPLE BY

DAMAGING THEIR LUNGS.

DO YOU REMEMBER

CALLING TO CENTRAL

ENGINE # _ _ ON THE SCENE

ALSO

ENGINE # _ _ INVESTIGATING

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SOME HOSE COMPANIES WERE AT THE SAME FIREHOUSE AS THEIR PUMPERS.

OTHER HOSE COMPANIES HAD THEIR OWN FIREHOUSE.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT EACH YEAR THE VOLUNTEERS HELD AN ELECTION AS TO WHO WOULD BE THEIR STEWARD.

A STEWARD WAS ELECTED FOR A ONE YEAR TERM AND WAS ALLOWED TO LIVE IN THE FIRE HOUSE.

HIS DUTIES WERE TO MAINTAIN THE FIRE APPARATUS AND HORSES, RING THE ALARM BELL, SOUND THE

CALL FOR MEETINGS AND ANY OTHER JOBS THE OFFICER WANTED DONE.

HE WAS PAID BY EITHER THE COMPANY OR THE COMMUNITY.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT WE HAD A BUILT IN STRAINER IN THE SUCTION INLET THAT CAUGHT LEAVES, STONES, CANS ,

BOTTLES, STICKS, ETC.

IN THE OLDER DAYS SOME PUMPERS HAD A PORTABLE CANVAS CISTERN OR BAG FOR THIS PURPOSE.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT ANOTHER NAME FOR THE

BUCKET BRIGADE

WAS

BUCKET CHAIN

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE
DO YOU REMEMBER

THE OLD SPANNER BELTS, THAT WE WORE AT ALL MULTIPLES, ALWAYS HAD

"GREEN MOLD ON THEM .

REMEMBER OILING THEM WITH MOTOR OIL FOR INSPECTION.

DO YOU REMEMBER

WHAT TERM YOU USED

"MULTIPLE"
OR
"EXTRA"

IN TALKING ABOUT A SECOND ALARM., OR MORE.

DO YOU KNOW

THE OLD LEATHER HOSE THAT HAD SEWN SEAMS WAS KNOWN TO BURST ALONG THOSE SEAMS AT HIGHER

PRESSURES.

A LONG NOZZLE( 6 TO 7 FT.) WOULD CONCENTRATE THE PRESSURE AT THE TIP THEREBY REDUCING THE

CHANCES OF THE SEAMS BURSTING. RIVETING THE SEAMS IN 1808 ELIMINATED THIS PROBLEM

DO YOU KNOW

IN BOSTON IN THE MID 1600s THE MAIN FIRE FIGHTING TOOL WAS A SWAB MOP.

IT WAS A LONG POLE WITH A SWAB ON THE END THAT THE TOWNSPEOPLE WOULD DIP IN WATER AND TRY

TO QUENCH THE BURNING THATCH ON THEIR ROOFS.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT "STEEL WOOL"

BURNS FASTER

THEN "SHEEP'S WOOL"

DO YOU KNOW

SOME HAND PUMPERS BACKED UP TO A "STREET PUMP"

THEN A WOODEN CHUTE WAS INSTALLED BETWEEN THE STREET PUMPS NOZZLE AND THE

HAND PUMPERS TUB.

ONE MAN PUMPED THE STREET PUMP

THE REST OF THE MEN WORKED THE HAND BRAKES OF THEIR PUMPER.

DO YOU REMEMBER

THAT SOME SPRINKLER / STANDPIPE CAPS WERE OF THE "BREAKAWAY" STYLE.

RATHER THEN A SCREWABLE CAP. THEY HAD ONES THAT WERE SNAP FASTENED TO THE

SPRINKLER / STANDPIPE CAPS.

YOU BROKE THESE WITH YOUR AX

DO YOU KNOW

THAT DURING WORLD WAR 1 , IN LONDON ,

THEY FOUND OUT THAT A MAJOR PROBLEM WAS THAT THROUGH OUT THE AREA THERE WERE

"20" DIFFERENT HOSE COUPLINGS.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN LONDON IN THE YEAR 1212

ARSONIST WERE BURNED AT THE STAKE.

DO YOU KNOW

THE FIRST HOLLOWED OUT LOGS USED FOR WATER PIPES HAD TO BE DRILLED TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE WATER IN

EXTINGUISHING A FIRE.

AFTER THE FIRE WAS OUT THEY HAD TO PLUG UP THE HOLE.

LATER ON THEY PRE DRILLED HOLES AND INSTALLED ABOVE GROUND PLUGS IN THEM

THAT'S WHERE THE TERM FIREPLUG CAME FROM .

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN 1802 PHILADELPHIA ORDERED THE FIRST CAST IRON HYDRANT.

ONE YEAR LATER THEY WERE THE FIRST AMERICAN CITY TO USE LEATHER HOSE

DO YOU REMEMBER

WHEN WE WENT FROM THE "TRADITIONAL STYLE FIRE HELMET" TO THAT MODERN LOOKING ONE THAT NOBODY

LIKED.

DO YOU REMEMBER GOING BACK TO THE "TRADITIONAL STYLE FIRE HELMET"

DO YOU KNOW

THAT PRIOR TO THE CIVIL WAR,

AX HANDLES WERE STRAIGHT

DO YOU KNOW

SOME COMMUNITIES TRIED TO USE GOURDS INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR

LEATHER BUCKETS

THEY DIDN'T WORK VERY WELL.

DO YOU REMEMBER

THE FOLLOWING:

THE GUYS THAT THAT WERE ABLE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THE KITCHEN TABLE AND BROAD JUMP UP ON IT.

THE GUYS THAT TRIED IT AND SCRAPED THE SKIN FROM THEIR SHINS.

THE GUYS THAT WERE ABLE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THE FENDER OF A SEAGRAVE ENGINE AND

JUMP UP AND LAND SEATED ON THAT FENDER

THE GUYS THAT TRIED IT BUT COULDN'T AND SCRAPED THE SKIN FROM THEIR BACKS .

AH, YES, THE OLD FIREHOUSE CHALLENGES,

A REAL GUY THING

DO YOU KNOW

THAT A PROBLEM WITH THE FIRST HAND CRANKED ALARM BOX WAS YOU HAD TO CRANK SLOWLY

FOR THE ALARM TO WORK.

THE PERSON THAT WAS TURNING IN THE ALARM GENERALLY WAS TOO EXCITED TO TURN THE

CRANK SLOWLY.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER

THAT THE PREFIX OF THE NUMBER "3" ON A

BOX ALARM NUMBER ON A RUNNING CARD MEANT THAT IT

WAS A SCHOOL LOCATION

EXAMPLE ON THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF A RUNNING CARD
(THE MAIN NUMBER WAS LARGER TYPE THEN THE SCHOOL NUMBER)

_____________________________
3161 28 TH & HERBERT
3-3161 SILL SCHOOL, 30TH AND HERBERT
_____________________________

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SINCE THE SAN FRANCISCO EARTHQUAKE AND FIRE OF 1906 PUT MANY FIRE HYDRANTS

OUT OF SERVICE SOME COMPANIES PUMPED FROM THE SEWERS.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN 1915 THE "DRAEGER SMOKE HELMET" HAD A TELEPHONE SYSTEM INSIDE OF IT THAT WAS

CONNECTED TO 250 FT. OF WIRE.

IT DID PROVIDE FOR GOOD COMMUNICATION BUT THE WIRE CAUGHT ON EVERYTHING INSIDE THE

BUILDINGS.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN SOME EARLY COMMUNITIES THAT HAD A LOT OF SNOW, THE HOSE WAS LOADED ONTO A SLEIGH

DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

THERE IS MENTIONED THAT SNOW WAS PACKED ON THE FLOOR OF A FIREHOUSE TO FREEZE SO THE

SLEIGH COULD HAVE AN EASIER TIME OF GETTING OUT.

REMEMBER, SOME OF THESE EARLY FIREHOUSES WERE LITTLE MORE THEN SHEDS.

DO YOU REALIZE

THAT IN THE EARLY DAYS THE ORDER TO EXTINGUISH ALL FIRES

FROM NIGHT TILL MORNING WAS NOT VERY POPULAR.

THAT MEANT THAT A NEW FIRE HAD TO BE STARTED EVERY MORNING.

THIS WAS BEFORE THE ABUNDANCE OF MATCHES.

IT WAS EASIER TO KEEP A SMALL FLAME GOING THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT ,

BUT THIS WAS AGAINST THE LAW.

MATCH INFORMATION BELOW

In "1827" John Walker, English chemist and apothecary, discovered that if he coated the end of a stick with certain chemicals and let them dry, he could start a fire by striking the stick anywhere.
These were the first friction matches.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE TERM

"VAST PLAYING"

WAS YELLED TO STOP PUMPING THE HAND BRAKES.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SOMETIMES THE VERY EARLY SUCTION LINER WOULD COME LOOSE AND PLUG UP THE

INTAKE TO THE PUMPS

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THERE WOULD BE A RACE BETWEEN THE LIVERY STABLES OWNERS WITH THEIR

TEAM OF HORSES TO THE FIREHOUSE UPON THE SOUND OF AN ALARM OF FIRE.

THE FIRST TEAM OF HORSES TO ARRIVE WERE HITCHED UP AND THE OWNER PAID.

DO YOU KNOW

AT TIMES WET BURLAP SACKS WERE PUT ON ROOFS TO PREVENT THEM ON CATCHING FIRE.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON EACH HOUSEHOLD AND BUSINESS HAD TO PROVIDE A

40 GALLON BARREL FULL OF WATER FOR THE FIREMEN TO USE.

A FINE OF $10.00 WAS IMPOSED FOR EACH DAY IN VIOLATION.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SINCE THE OLD NOZZLES DIDN'T HAVE ANY SHUTOFFS THERE WAS ALWAYS THE DANGER OF BEING

KNOCKED OVER WHEN MOVING THE CHARGED LINE.

DO YOU KNOW

IN 1922 IN NEW YORK THEY WENT FROM LIVING AT THE FIREHOUSE WITH ONLY THREE,

ONE HOUR MEAL BREAKS 'PLUS AN OCCASIONAL DAY OFF, TO A TWO PLATOONS, 84 HOUR WORK WEEK.

WHILE OUR TWO PLATOON SYSTEM HAS TWO SEPARATE UNITS ON A 24 HOUR SHIFT,

NEW YORK WORK SCHEDULE IS A 9 & 15 HOURS SHIFT.

SHIFT ONE IS FROM 0900 HRS TO 1800 HRS

SHIFT TWO IS FROM 1800 HRS TO 0900 HRS.

THEY HAVE A WORK RELIEF PROGRAM AND IT IS CALLED "WORKING MUTUALS"

IT APPEARS THAT SHIFT ONE STAYS OVER (WORKING 24 HRS.) AND COVERS SHIFT TWO.

NOTE: I READ OF SOME OTHER CITIES HAVING A 10 & 14 HOUR SPLIT SHIFT

DO YOU KNOW

OUR "FIRE ENGINE OPERATOR"

IS CALLED A

"CHAUFFEUR"

IN NEW YORK

DO YOU REMEMBER THE DIFFERENCE IN LOADING THE 2 1/2 " LINE TO BE STRETCHED FOR A FIRE

AND THE 2 1/2 " LINE TO BE STRETCHED FOR AN EXTENDED SUCTION.

COME ON OLD TIMER , THINK

YOU STARTED LOADING THE FEMALE BUTT FIRST ON THE LINE TO BE STRETCHED ON A FIRE.

YOU STARTED LOADING MALE BUTT FIRST ON THE LINE TO BE STRETCHED FOR AN EXTENDED SUCTION

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU KNOW

IN THE EARLY DAYS THE VOLUNTEER FIREMEN WOULD HAVE CONTESTS OF PULLING A HOSE REEL. THESE WERE

BOTH INNER COMMUNITY AS WELL AS AGAINST OTHER TOWNS . SINCE THERE WAS BETTING GOING ON AT TIMES

"RINGERS" WERE BROUGHT IN. THESE WERE STRONGER MEN FROM OUT OF TOWN.

ALSO AT SOME OF THESE CONTEST THE FIREMEN WORE A PULLING HARNESS HOOKED INTO THE TOW ROPE,

RATHER THEN JUST HOLDING ON THE ROPE WITH THEIR HANDS.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE FIREMEN OILED THEIR HORSES HOOVES AND AT TIMES PAINTED THEM BLACK.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT VOLUNTEER "ENGINE COMPANIES" HAD TWICE THE MANPOWER OF "HOSE COMPANIES, 50 TO 25.

WHEN STEAMERS CAME INTO BEING, SOME HOSE COMPANIES PETITIONED FOR A STEAMER AND AN INCREASE IN

MANPOWER TO 50.

AS NOW THEY WOULD BE AN ENGINE COMPANY

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IN SOME EARLY COMMUNITIES, THE STANDING OF A WATCH WAS ACTUALLY A THREE MAN WATCH.

TWO FIREMEN HAD TO PATROL THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND CHECK IN EVERY HOUR WITH THE THIRD MAN

STANDING WATCH AT THE FIREHOUSE.. IT WAS A SIX HOUR WATCH.

THERE WAS A MENTION OF THEM ROTATING DUTIES.

I IMAGINE THIS MEANT THAT THE HOUSE WATCHMAN WENT OUT AND ALSO DID NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH WHILE ONE OF

THEM CAME INSIDE.

DO YOU KNOW

IN NEW YORK IN THE LATE 1800s IT WAS A CUSTOM UPON BEING PROMOTED TO BATTALION CHIEF

FOR HE AND HIS FAMILY TO MOVE INTO THE CHIEFS QUARTERS THAT WAS PART OF THE FIREHOUSE.

ALSO IN THAT SAME TIME FRAME WAS AN ORDER ABOUT SLIDING THE POLE.

" THE BODY WILL BE PERMITTED TO DESCEND ONLY AT A MODERATE RATE OF SPEED.

AS THE FIREMEN APPROACHED TO WITHIN ABOUT FOUR FEET FROM THE FLOOR A STILL SLOWER RATE MUST BE TAKEN."

THIS MEASURE WAS TO PREVENT ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER
"HEADQUARTERS"

IF YOU RAN AT HEADQUARTERS IN THE OLD DAYS, WHEN ALL COMPANIES WERE IN SERVICE AND WITH A FULL

COMPLIMENT OF MEN, YOU TRIED TO GET IN A CARPOOL AS THEY HAD PREFERENCE ON PARKING IN THE BASEMENT.

IF YOU WERE DETAILED YOU MIGHT HAVE TO PARK ON COBO HALL ROOF (THE CHEAPEST RATE) AND THEN AFTER

CHOW GET YOUR CAR FROM THERE AND PARK IN THE BASEMENT OR LATER ON THE FIRST FLOOR.

THE OFFICERS HAD THEIR OWN TABLE FOR CHOW.

BEFORE CABLE THE TV RECEPTION WAS HORRIBLE AND MANY GUYS NEVER WATCHED IT AS IT WAS THAT

BAD.

OK YOU OLD TIMERS HERE'S ONE THAT YOU CAN'T FORGET.

YOU WERE AT HEADQUARTERS

EATING

DOING PAPERWORK

WORKING ON YOUR RIG

CHECKING BULLETINS,

CLEANING UP THE ENGINE HOUSE

THE REGISTER STARTED

2

2-9
EVERYONE STOPPED WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND STARTED COUNTING

2-91

EVERYONE GOT UP

2-912

EVERYONE STARTED RUNNING TO THEIR RIG.

QUESTIONS:

WHAT IS THE LAST NUMBER??????????????????????

WHERE WERE THEY GOING?????????????????????

WHAT WAS THE STREET LOCATION?????????????????????

ANYONE NOT REMEMBERING THIS GETS A PASS TO THE OLD FOLKS HOME.

" 4"............................BOX 2-9124

"UNIROYAL"

"JEFFERSON & CONCORD"

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY..........(EXCEPT THE OLD FARTS THAT COULDN'T REMEMBER)
WAYNE

DO YOU KNOW

THE FIRST

"FIRE CAPES"

WORN IN THE UNITED STATES WAS BY THE

"ASSISTANCE FIRE COMPANY" OF PHILADELPHIA IN

1794

DO YOU REMEMBER

AT TALL APARTMENT BUILDINGS IN THE "CASS CORRIDOR"

QUESTION:

WHAT FOUR THINGS DID YOU TAKE IN THE BUILDING THAT YOU

DIDN'T TAKE TO A HOUSE FIRE???????????????

HOSE ROLLER

ROPE

STANDPIPE ROLL

JEWELS

WHAT TIGHTENED IF THE FIRE WAS ON THE "5TH FLOOR REAR"

, YOU WERE THE TRIALMAN AND HAD THE LINE.

THERE WAS NO FIRE SHOWING,

JUST HEAVY SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE UPPER FLOORS.

IT WAS "SHOWTIME AND YOU HAD TO FIND "MR. FIRE"

"YOUR FAMILY JEWELS"

DO YOU REMEMBER

THE RETIRED BOXER THAT USED TO DROP IN AT ENGINE 3s QUARTERS

WHAT WAS HIS NAME???????????????

"KO MORGAN"

DO YOU REMEMBER

WHERE WAS THE UNION HALL IN THE 60s

WEST OF PARK ON MONTCALM ( DOWN FROM ENGINE 3 & LADDER 3s QUARTERS)

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IT TAKES EIGHT MEN TO HOLD A LIFENET WHILE IT ONLY TAKES
ONE TO THREE MEN TO RAISE A LADDER TO THE SAFE JUMPING HEIGHT FOR THE NET

THAT WAS THE THINKING IN DOING AWAY WITH THE LIFENET AS MANPOWER DECREASED.

DO YOU KNOW

THE TITLE OF "FIRE COMMISSIONER" CAME FROM THE FIRST

"FIRE WARDENS"

IT APPEARS THE "FIRE WARDENS" CARRIED A RED WAND

AND THE "FIRE COMMISSIONER" CARRIED A WHITE WAND

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU KNOW

THAT WHEN A HAND PUMP WAS ATTACHED TO A WELL, TO PUMP WATER, THE PIPE TO GO

FROM THE PUMP TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WELL WAS , AT TIMES, A WHITE OAK LOG THAT

HAD A HOLE DRILLED IN THE CENTER.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT WOOD USED ON SOME HAND PUMPERS WAS WHITE OAK OR CEDAR, WITH THE

TUB BEING LINED WITH COPPER.

DO YOU KNOW

SOME HORSES USED AT THE FIRE HOUSE WERE CITY OWNED AND HAD OTHER DAILY

FUNCTIONS IN HAULING VARIOUS CITY WAGONS . UPON AN ALARM OF FIRE, THAT DRIVER

WOULD RACE HIS WAGON TO THE FIRE HOUSE, UNHITCH THE HORSES / HORSES AND THE

FIREMEN WOULD HITCH HIM UP TO THE STEAMER AND RESPOND TO THE FIRE.

AT TIMES THE HORSE , BEING CONDITIONED TO RESPOND TO A FIRE, WOULD LEAVE THE OTHER

CITY DRIVER BEHIND AND RACE ON HIS OWN WITH THE OTHER CITY OWNED WAGON TO THE

FIRE STATION.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT BESIDES SODA & ACID EXTINGUISHERS AND

SODA & ACID ENGINES ( CHEMICAL ENGINES)

THERE WERE ALSO

SODA & ACID CARTS WITH THE TANKS RANGING FROM 25 TO 500 GALLONS .

DO YOU KNOW

THAT IT APPEARS THAT THE CHEMICAL ENGINES, CARTS AS WELL AS THE EXTINGUISHERS

HAD NO SHUTOFFS ON THEIR NOZZLES.. ONCE CHARGED YOU USED IT ALL UP.

THEREFORE IF YOU DUMPED YOUR TANK ON A SMALL HOUSE FIRE AND COULDN'T TURN OFF

THE WATER IT COULD DO MORE DAMAGE THEN THE FIRE.

THE ARTICLES WEREN'T REAL CLEAR ON THIS FACTOR OF NOZZLE SHUTOFFS.

MY GUESS ( AFTER READING ALL THESE BOOKS) IS THAT SOME SODA & ACID

EXTINGUISHERS, CARTS AND ENGINES HAD NOZZLE SHUTOFFS BUT THEN WHEN SOME

EXPLOSIONS OCCURRED (DUE TO A BUILDING UP OF TOO MUCH PRESSURE)

SOME CONVERTED TO AN OPEN TIP NOZZLE.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

FROM A WEB SITE

SMOKEY THE BEAR

In 1944 The National Forest Service, in conjunction with the Advertising Council, originated and authorized a poster, by Rudolph Wendelin, of Smokey Bear as the symbol for fire prevention.

In May of 1950, a human-caused fire ravaged 17,000 acres of forest in the Capitan Gap. It was during this fire that a tiny bear cub found his way up a tree. With badly burned feet and buttocks, the cub clung tenaciously to the side of that pine tree until he was found by one of the fire crews who had been fighting the fire.

The cub was briefly named "Hotfoot" but those involved quickly called him Smokey Bear and he became the living symbol for the poster.

Little Smokey Bear was flown by Game Warden Ray Bell to a veterinary hospital in Santa Fe. Later, Bell kept Smokey Bear in his home during the recovery, but, as a wild animal...even a baby one...he dominated the family pets.

Once healed he was flown to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. where he quickly became a "star" . In July of 1950, then U.S. Senator Chaves of New Mexico, presented Smokey Bear to the school children of America. By 1952, having become so popular with school children as well as citizens of the world, Congress passed into law a bill governing the commercialization of the name and image of Smokey Bear. It was at about this same time that Smokey Bear was given his own zip code because of the large amount of mail he was receiving.

New Mexico adopted the black bear as the state animal, and on its golden anniversary in 1962, a female bear named Goldie, from the Lincoln National Forest also, was sent to the National Zoo to become

Smokey Bear's mate. No cubs were ever born to Smokey Bear and Goldie.

Smokey Bear died in 1976, and at the urging of friends and supporters, his body was returned to his birthplace. He is buried in a small park which bears his name, in the heart of the Village of Capitan.

In 1952 Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins wrote the anthem that would cause a debate among Smokey enthusiasts for the next several decades. In order to maintain the correct rhythm, the writers added a

"the" between "Smokey" and "Bear." As testament to the song's popularity, Smokey Bear became known as
"Smokey The Bear" to many adoring fans, but in actuality his name never changed, and he is still known correctly as Smokey Bear.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY..........................AND ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER

THE OLD HOSE WE USED HAD TWO WOVEN JACKETS OF COTTON FABRIC AND COULD ROT IF NOT DRIED

AFTER A FIRE.

THE NEWER HOSE WE HAD WAS MADE OUT OF POLYESTER AND DACRON AND WHILE NOT ROTTING

COULD GROW MOLD

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE FIRST FIRE GEAR WAS HEAVY WOOL.

THEN CAME TREATED CANVAS OR DUCK COTTON COATS WITH WOOL LINING

DO YOU KNOW

THAT SOME COMMUNITIES STILL DO A COMPLETE SALVAGE OVERHAUL AT FIRES.

THEY PROTECT FURNITURE WITH SALVAGE COVERS.

THEY PROTECT CARPETS WITH RUNNERS.

THEY SHOVEL OUT ALL DEBRIS AND SQUEEGEE OUT ALL WATER.

THEY EVEN PUMP OUT BASEMENTS FROM ALL THE WATER USED AT THE FIRE.

DO YOU REMEMBER

THAT AT TIMES THERE WERE 2 OR 4 ENGINEERS THAT WERE ON A COMPANY ROOSTER BUT REALLY

DIDN'T HAVE A DEFINITE DAILY ASSIGNED ENGINE HOUSE
.
WHAT WERE THESE POSITIONS CALLED?

HINT

WHEN YOU GET OLD , LIKE YOU OLD TIMERS, YOU SEE "SPOTS" THAT MOVE AROUND IN YOUR VISION.

FLOATERS, OLD TIMER, FLOATERS

DO YOU KNOW

WHAT AN ENGINE HOUSE TRIP WAS ???

IT WAS A MECHANICAL DEVICE THAT WAS INSTALLED ALONG SIDE THE WATCH DESK ALARM BELL

AND CONNECTED TO THE HAMMER OF THE BELL (GONG).

THE FIRST BACKWARD MOVEMENT OF THE GONGS HAMMER SET FREE THE AUTOMATIC TRIP LEVER ,

THEREBY EITHER DROPPING THE HORSE STALLS CHAIN OR OPENING UP THE STALL DOORS. IT

ALSO STOPPED THE SECOND CLOCK TO INDICATE THE TIME OF ALARM.

THESE TRIPS WERE ALSO MADE BY GAMEWELL.

NOTE SOME WATCH DESKS HAD TWO CLOCKS , ONE TO BE USED TO SHOW THE TIME OF ALARM

AND THE OTHER TO SHOW THE DAILY TIME.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT FIRE MARKS WERE MADE FROM

CAST IRON
LEAD
COPPER
BRASS
ZINC
TIN
WOOD
TERRA COTTA

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE
DO YOU KNOW

THAT THERE IS A FIRE FIGHTING DEVICE THAT IS CALLED A " DETROIT DOOR OPENER" TO BE

USED TO FORCE OPEN LOCKED DOORS.

NO DETROIT FIRE COMPANY EVER CARRIED ONE.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE "OLD CAIRNS NO. 350 ALUMINUM HELMET" WAS DRAWN FROM ONE PIECE OF METAL,

EVEN THOUGH IT HAS A NUMBER OF COMBS GIVING A FALSE IMPRESSION OF BEING PIECED TOGETHER

WITH WELDED SEAMS.

DO YOU KNOW

THE FIRST FIRE HOSE WAS ABOUT THE YEAR 400 BC WHEN OX GUT CASINGS WERE FILLED WITH WATER

THE FIREMEN SQUEEZED OR STEPPED ON THEM TO EXPEL THE WATER.

DO YOU KNOW

ANOTHER NAME FOR THE HOSE ROLLER IS

BRESNAN HOSE HOIST

DO YOU KNOW

ANOTHER NAME FOR THE SWIVEL NOZZLE IS

DISTRIBUTING NOZZLE

DO YOU KNOW

WHAT A "SWEAT STICK" WAS

IT WAS A WOODEN STICK TO REMOVE THE LATHER FROM HOT FIRE HORSES.

DO YOU KNOW

WHY SOME FIRE DEPARTMENTS PREFER AN AX WITH ONE FLAT END RATHER THEN OUR PEEN END.

THEY FOUND FOR THEIR USE THE FLAT END ACTS AS A SLEDGE HAMMER IN STRIKING SOME OF THE

OTHER TOOLS THEIR DEPARTMENT USES.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE APPLICATION OF WATER TO HOT METAL FIRES BREAKS DOWN THE WATER INTO

HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN . THIS ADDS TO FUELING THE FIRE.

DO YOU KNOW

SOME LIFENETS FOLDED IN HALF

OURS FOLDED IN QUARTERS.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU KNOW

WHAT WAS THE DIAMETER OF OUR BIG BELL ( TURTLE GONG )?

COME ON OLD TIMER WHEN YOU STOOD WATCH YOU WOUND THEM UP.

NOTE: THE BELL WAS GOOD FOR APPROXIMATELY 250 STRIKES BETWEEN WINDINGS.

ALSO ON EVERY SATURDAY YOU POLISHED IT.

DO YOU KNOW THAT AT SOME HOUSES THE "OFU" SPRAYED THE BELL WITH CLEAR LACQUER SO THEY

WOULDN'T HAVE TO POLISH THEM ANYMORE.

GAMEWELL MADE "TURTLE GONGS" IN THE 6 INCH AND 10 INCH IN DIAMETER MODELS.

OURS WERE THE 10 INCH MODELS

GAMEWELL MADE "OTHER BELLS" IN THE 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, & 18 INCH IN DIAMETER MODELS.

THOSE WEREN'T "TURTLE GONGS"

DO YOU REMEMBER

HOW DURING THE BIG BELL ERA , IT WAS THROWN IN AFTER RECEIVING 10-10, 10-4 AT MIDNIGHT

THEN AT 0630 WHEN 8 BLOWS CAME IN THE BIG BELL WOKE EVERYONE UP.

WHEN THE BIG BELL WAS TAKEN OUT, CENTRAL WOULD SEND OUT 8 BLOWS ON THE DEPARTMENT RADIO.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT OF ALL THE LITHOGRAPHS MADE BY "CURRIER & IVES" THE MOST POPULAR WERE THE ONES OF

FIREMEN OR FIRE RELATED

NATHANIEL CURRIER WAS A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN AT

ENGINE CO. # 2 IN NEW YORK.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT BESIDES A STEAMER , AT TIMES, PULLING A HOSE WAGON, I SAW A PICTURE OF A STEAMER

PULLING A COAL WAGON.

DO YOU REMEMBER

BACK IN THE 60s IN THE 5TH BATTALION AREA THERE WAS A CHIROPRACTOR THAT WORKED FROM HIS

HOUSE THAT WORKED ON FIREMEN'S INJURES . HE CHARGED $5.00.

I THINK HE WAS AROUND THE TRAINING ACADEMY

DO YOU REMEMBER

ENGINE # _ _ ON THE AIR IN FIRST ALARM DISTRICT

DO YOU REMEMBER

WHEN THE 12 TO 3 AND 3 TO 7 WATCHES ENDED AND COT WATCH STARTED?

I'M PRETTY SURE IT WAS ABOUT AUGUST 1962.

OUR CLASS STARTED JULY 2, 1962 AND THE INSTRUCTORS MENTIONED THESE WATCHES AT FIRST
.
THEN ABOUT ONE MONTH LATER THEY SAID WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO CALL IN ON THOSE WATCHES AS

A NEW SYSTEM WAS COMING INTO EFFECT THAT WOULD DO AWAY WITH THE 12 TO 3 AND 3 TO 7

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER OUR SUBURBAN "FIRE FAMILY"
THAT HELPED US AT THE BELOW BOX, AND THE MANY OTHER LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THAT WEEK.

BOX 526
12 TH. & TAYLOR
8:24 AM
SUNDAY
JULY 23
1967

CITIES RESPONDING

BIRMINGHAM
CLINTON
COMMERCE TWP.
DEARBORN HEIGHTS
DEARBORN TWP.
DETROIT
EAST DETROIT
ECORSE
ELOISE
FERNDALE
FLINT
GROSSE ILE
GARDEN CITY
GARDEN CITY MUTUAL AID
GIBRALTER
GROSSE PTE PARK
GROSSE PTE WOODS
HARPER WOODS
HIGHLAND PARK
HAZEL PARK
HARRISON TWP.
LANSING
LIVONIA
MILFORD TWP.
MADISON HEIGHTS
NEWPORT
PLYMOUTH
PLYMOUTH TWP.
PONTIAC
REDFORD TWP.
RIVER ROUGE
ROSEVILLE
ROYAL OAK
ROYAL OAK TWP.
SOUTH ROCKWOOD
STERLING TWP.
ST. CLAIR SHORES
SOUTHFIELD
SOUTHFIELD TWP.
TAYLOR TWP.
WARREN
WAYNE
WESTLAND
WYANDOTTE
WINDSOR, CANADA

REMEMBER "ALL" OF OUR "FIRE FAMILY"
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER

I NEVER SAW THIS DONE BUT I HAVE HEARD ABOUT IT MANY, MANY TIMES

THE STORY GOES THAT THERE WAS ONE OLD TIME FIREMAN THAT WAS ALSO SKILLED IN THE

ART OF BLACKSMITH AND METALWORK THAT HAD VERY CALLOUSED HANDS.

HE WAS ABLE TO TAKE A HOT POT OF COFFEE RIGHT FROM THE STOVE TOP AND CARRY IT

ON THE PALM OF HIS OUTSTRETCHED HAND.

DO YOU KNOW

IN ONE OF MY PAST COLUMNS I WROTE ABOUT SERVING SHORT (12 HOURS) AND LONG (24 HOURS)

LEAVE DAYS AS PUNISHMENT.
I JUST READ ABOUT SERVING AN 8 HOUR LEAVE DAY.

YOU CAME IN AT MIDNIGHT THE DAY BEFORE YOUR WORKDAY, WORKING THAT 8 HOURS AND THEN YOUR

REGULAR 24 HOURS TOUR OF DUTY. THIS WOULD GO ON FOR A ONE TO TWO WEEK PERIOD DEPENDING ON

THE OFFENSE AND THE FIRE COMMISSION TRIAL BOARD.

DO YOU KNOW

IN ONE PICTURE I SAW THERE WAS A STEAMER IN THE ENGINE HOUSE WITH A MULTIPOINTED CROWN ON TOP OF

THE STACK. IT WAS ATTACHED WITH A WIRE TO THE CEILING . THEREFORE IT WOULD PULL OFF ON A RUN BY IT SELF

WITHOUT ANYONE HAVING TO CLIMB UP AND REMOVE IT..

THERE WASN'T ANY EXPLANATION OF IT PURPOSE.

MY GUESS IS IT WAS TO RETAIN THE HEAT AS THE WATER WAS BEING PREHEATED FROM THE BASEMENT HEATERS

IN ALLOWING THE STEAMERS TO CREATE A FASTER HEAD OF STEAM.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN OTHER FLAT STACK COVERS THAT JUST DIDN'T SHOW UP IN OTHER PICTURES.

THIS ONE MAY HAVE HAD A DECORATIVE AS WELL AS A FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE.

AGAIN I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE, AS I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRITTEN ABOUT A STACK COVER.

ACTUALLY IT COULD HAVE JUST BEEN THEIR "OFU"

PLAYING AROUND AND PUTTING A CROWN ON THEIR

"FIRE QUEEN"

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

Reproduction of this site is permitted for non-commercial and educational purposes
with credit being given to Dwayne T. Gartner and Friendship Fire Company No. 1,
Woodbury, New Jersey.

The pear shape dome behind the horse blankets was an air suppression chamber. This chamber helped even out the pulsation's caused by the pumping action of the pistons. The air chamber is partially filled with air. Water which is considered as non-compressible would compressed the air trapped in the chamber. As the pistons would reach the end of their stoke length the compression created by the action of the pistons would drop and so would the water pressure. The air in the chamber would expand as pressure drop pushing the water back out of the air chamber and back into the pump discharge piping or header. This in effect would even out the pulsation's of the water stream into a smooth action. This was important so that the firemen could maintain control of the hose lines. This is a common feature on most steam powered pumps.

When a steam engine is pumping, the violent up and down motion of the pistons is transmitted to the frame and the wheels. After arrival at a fire scene, the tie down locks or percussion stops were locked into place. These were used to secure the boiler and pump to the frame instead of free floating during travel on the springs. When locked, this transmitted the force to the springs. These locks were common to most later steam engines.
__________________________________________

Howard writes about the horses after the high school fire:

At this time I would like to say something about the horses that were used on the apparatus. Many people who read this history have never had the thrill of seeing that wonderful team of big white horses in action. Their names were Prince and Star. When an alarm came in and the cord was pulled that opened the doors to their stalls, they would trot out and back under the harness quivering with excitement waiting for the word to go. The horses were drilled every night when the 8:00 o'clock alarm came in.

We don't want to sell short the ability of the little team of bays, Charlie & Ben on the hook and ladder, they were not as heavy as the other team but when they got under way they just seemed to skim over the ground. These animals were fed, petted and pampered by all the men of the company. Motorized equipment does not give you the thrill that you got from watching those horses take off down the street. Several times when they were out on some city work, the tower bell has rung and the team ran away and headed for the fire house to get the apparatus. They knew what that bell meant.

Most fire horses were like race horses. When they heard the fire bell the horses WANTED TO RUN as fast as they could pulling the fire engine. Once at the fire scene, the horses patiently stood in the cold, with loud noises, whistles, men yelling, all the while having hot embers from the fire and the steam engine falling on their backs. The horses were just as amazing as the men of the day.
___________________________________________________

About the same time jump seats were becoming popular, boot rails where being placed on fire engines mostly for volunteer fire companies. All of our pumpers since our 1941 Mack had boot rails .

Boot rails where actually three rails that ran down each side of the hose bed. The turnout coat was folded and wrapped around the inter most rail. The boots would hang upside down between the outer rail and the coat. The helmet was hooked onto a strap on the outer rail. This ensured that once the engine was at the scene all of the fire fighter's gear would be there too. Usually eight to ten sets gear fit down each side on our trucks.

One advantage that the boot rails allowed was for fire fighters to get dressed while the fire engine was being driven to the fire scene. It was always a challenge to get dressed, maintain your balance, and keep from getting smacked by a low tree limb or being knock off the truck by that tree limb. If there was no room on the hose bed you would just ride the trail board and hook-up the truck to the hydrant and then run back to the pumper to get dressed while the rest of the crew was pulling a hose line toward the fire.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU KNOW

THAT BESIDES A TAX OF MONEY TO PAY FOR LEATHER BUCKETS SOME PEOPLE PAID IN

"ONE BEAVER"....no, not that one......the animal beaver.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT OUR RIGS WENT FROM

HAND PAINTED GOLD LEAF
TO
GOLD LEAF DECALS
TO
REFLECTIVE TAPE

DO YOU KNOW

WHILE MECHANICS MAINTAINED OUR FIRE APPARATUS, BACK IN THE 1600s

CARPENTERS MAINTAINED THE WOOD HAND TUBS

DO YOU KNOW

THAT DURING THE BUCKET BRIGADE AT THE FIRE SCENE YOU WERE REQUIRED TO HELP IN PASSING THE

BUCKETS "FOR THE DURATION OF THE FIRE"

DO YOU REMEMBER

HOW MANY DRAWERS OF RUNNING CARDS WERE THERE?

EIGHT DRAWERS, OLD TIMER, EIGHT DRAWERS.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE FIREMAN'S BALL WAS A VERY IMPORTANT ANNUAL EVENT USED TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY.

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THE ENGINEERS OF THE STEAMERS BESIDES MEETING THE REGULAR FIRE COMPANY REGULATIONS

HAD TO MEET THE FEDERAL REGULATION AND REQUIREMENTS.

HE ALSO HAD TO BE CERTIFIED BY LICENSE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

DO YOU KNOW

THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN OF A STEAMER THAT UPON ARRIVING AT THE FIRE HAD THEIR TWO LARGE

BACK WHEELS JACKED UP. THESE ACTED AS FLYWHEELS IN THE PUMPING OPERATION.

DO YOU KNOW

THE US POST OFFICE ISSUED 5 POSTAGE STAMPS WITH A FIRE DEPARTMENT THEME:

1948 $ .03 300 TH ANNIVERSARY VOLUNTEER FIREMEN

1981 $ .20 FIRE PUMPER

1984 $ .20 SMOKEY THE BEAR

1988 $ .20.5 AHRENS-FOX FIRE ENGINE

1992 $ .29 TOY STEAM FIRE ENGINE

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE