Waynes Stuff

THE FOLLOWING ARE RULES AND REGULATIONS
YEARS.....1912.....1937.....1953

NOT ALL ORDERS WILL BE LISTED, JUST THE INTERESTING ONES

"OTHER CITY"

THE YEAR
1912
RULE 60

NO MEMBER WILL ENGAGE IN IDLE CONVERSATION WITH ANY WOMEN IN OR ABOUT

COMPANY QUARTERS

RULE 204

THE DRIVERS SHALL HAVE THE CARE OF THE HORSES, HARNESS, AND STABLES, AND SHALL

KEEP THE SAME IN GOOD CONDITION. IN HOUSES WHERE THERE ARE EXTRA HORSES, THE

CAPTAIN WILL DETAIL SOMEONE TO ASSIST THE DRIVERS IN THE CARE OF THE EXTRA STOCK

RULE 206

AS SOON AS THE HORSES RETURN TO THE HOUSE AFTER AN ALARM OR EXERCISE , THEY

MUST BE RUBBED UNTIL QUITE DRY, PARTICULAR CARE BEING TAKEN TO RUB THEIR LEGS

UNTIL THEY ARE DRY AND WARM, AND THEIR FEET WASHED WITH A SPONGE AND

THOROUGHLY EXAMINED FOR NAILS AND STONES. HORSES MUST NOT BE FED NOR WATERED

WHILE WARM

RULE 207

HORSES SHALL BE EXERCISED EVERY 24 HOURS (SUNDAYS AND STORMY WEATHER EXCEPTED)

BUT MUST NOT BE DRIVEN FURTHER THAN TWO SQUARES FROM THE STATION NOR AT A RATE OF

SPEED EXCEEDING 10 MPH. DRIVERS WILL NOT STOP THEIR HORSES TO ENGAGE IN

CONVERSATION WITH PERSONS ON THE STREET OR SIDEWALKS. THEY SHALL TRAVEL ON

SUCH STREETS AS THE CAPTAIN MAY DESIGNATE

RULE 211

AT FIRES, AFTER LAYING HOSE, DRIVERS SHALL BLANKET HORSES AND LOCATE AS NEAR AS

POSSIBLE SO THAT IN CASE OF NECESSITY, THEY CAN BE FOUND QUICKLY TO LAY A SECOND

LINE

RULE 213

IN PROCEEDING TO FIRES, DRIVERS WILL SOUND THEIR GONGS AT EVERY CORNER AND AS

OFTEN AS NECESSARY

THE YEAR

1937
"DETROIT"

CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT

ARTICLE 2

SEC.14

HE SHALL DESIGNATE THE TIME FOR UNIFORM INSPECTIONS, WHICH WILL BE HELD TWICE A YEAR

CHIEFS OF BATTALION

ARTICLE 6

SEC. 2

THEY SHALL CHANGE UNITS AT 8:00 AM THE 15TH DAY OF EACH MONTH

CAPTAINS

ARTICLE 7

SEC 4

COMMANDING OFFICERS SHALL BE PREPARED TO ASSIST CENTRAL OFFICE IN MAKING CIRCUIT TESTS ON

SUNDAY AM. ALL UNNECESSARY TELEPHONE CALLS SHOULD BE ELIMINATED BETWEEN 8:00 AM AND 8:30 AM

THAT DAY

SEC. 5

(THE LAST SENTENCE)

THE COMMANDING OFFICER SHALL BE THE ONLY ONE ALLOWED TO CALL OUT THE NUMBER OF THE BOX

SEC. 10

WHEN AN ENGINE AND LADDER COMPANY APPROACH A CORNER TO TURN INTO THE SAME STREET , THE

ENGINE COMPANY SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY. THOSE WHO FAIL TO OBEY THE RULES WILL BE

SEVERELY DEALT WITH.

SEC. 12

OFFICERS OF THE VARIOUS COMPANIES WILL CHANGE UNITS ON THE SECOND DAY OF EACH MONTH AT 8:00

AM

SEC. 13

THEY SHALL SEE THAT ALL LANTERNS ARE EXTINGUISHED ON MOTOR APPARATUS WHEN GASOLINE TANKS

ARE BEING FILLED

SEC. 22

ALL ENGINE COMPANIES REPORTING FOR SERVICE AT EXTRA ALARMS SHALL CONNECT TO HYDRANTS WITH

THE HARD SUCTIONS

SEC. 23

COMPANY OFFICERS OF COMPANIES WILL BE AUTHORIZED TO SEND OUT AT LEAST TWO MEN WITH

EXTINGUISHERS TO ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH A FIRE, BUT IN ALL CASES CARE MUST BE TAKEN THAT THERE

BE NO CHANCE OF THE FIRE GETTING BEYOND CONTROL. IF ON ARRIVING THE FIRE APPEARS TO BE WELL

UNDER WAY , ONE MAN WILL IMMEDIATELY RETURN TO QUARTERS AND SEND IN AN ALARM OR PULL THE

NEAREST BOX

SEC 26

THEY SHALL NOT PASS TO THE LEFT OF A STREET CAR EXCEPT IN AN EXTREME EMERGENCY

SEC. 46

(LAST SENTENCE ABOUT SODA & ACID EXTINGUISHER)

THEY SHALL NOT LET CHARGE REMAIN IN EXTINGUISHER OVER 2 MONTHS, BUT DISCHARGE THEN AND PUT

IN NEW ONE

SEC 51
MAX. MILES
PER HOUR

RESCUE COMPANY..................................................30

ENGINE COMPANY...................................................30

HIGH PRESSURE COMPANY....................................25

CHEMICAL COMPANY..............................................25

LADDER COMPANY AND WATER TOWER..............20

SEC. 66

SETTING UP EXERCISES SHALL BE HELD UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER IN THE

COMPANY QUARTERS AT 7:00 AM AND 4:00 PM EACH DAY EXCEPT SUNDAY. ONLY FIRE DUTY SHALL

INTERFERE WITH THESE EXERCISE

SEC. 104

THEY SHALL SEE THAT THE OIL HOLE OF THE PINION SHAFT OF STEERING GEAR OF LADDER COMPANIES,

ALSO FIFTH WHEEL AND BOTH SPRINGS ARE KEPT CLEAN OF GRIT AND ARE LUBRICATED AFTER EACH RUN

ARTICLE 11

PIPEMEN, LADDERMEN AND TRIALMEN

SEC, 3

EVERY MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DEVOTE HIS WHOLE TIME TO THE BUSINESS OF THE

DEPARTMENT, AND IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED FROM BEING EMPLOYED IN OR GIVING HIS PERSONAL

ATTENTION TO ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

SEC 10

MEMBERS IN UNIFORM SHALL NOT OCCUPY SEATS ON STREETCARS OR BUSES, WHILE PAID PASSENGERS ARE

STANDING.

SEC. 12

MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SALUTE THEIR SUPERIORS WHEN THEY MEET OR PASS ON THE STREET

OR ELSEWHERE IN PUBLIC, AND THE SALUTE SHALL BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE SUPERIORS

SEC.14

ANY OFFICER OR MEMBER, WHILE ON LEAVE WHEN IS SEEN AT A FIRE, MAY BE CALLED ON FOR DUTY BY THE

CHIEF IN CHARGE OF THE FIRE.

SEC. 16

WHILE AT FIRES THE GREATEST DEGREE OF SILENCE COMPATIBLE WITH THE EFFICIENT DISCHARGE OF DUTY

WILL BE REQUIRED AND ANY NOISY CONVERSATION OR BOISTEROUS CONDUCT WILL BE SUFFICIENT CAUSE

OR OTHER ACTION BY THE COMMANDING OFFICER

SEC. 21

WHEN TWO OR MORE BLOWS ARE STRUCK ON THE HOUSE GONG OR BELL OF APPARATUS, ALL MEMBERS

SHALL REPORT PROMPTLY ON THE APPARATUS FLOOR

SEC. 33

OFFICERS AND MEN WHILE SITTING IN QUARTERS ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TO PUT THEIR FEET ON

WINDOW SILLS OR FURNITURE.

SEC. 38

MEMBERS OF COMPANIES SHALL NOT SIT IN FRONT OF THEIR QUARTERS OR CONGREGATE ON THE

SIDEWALKS , NEITHER SHALL THEY VISIT OR ASSEMBLE IN SHOPS ADJACENT TO QUARTERS.

SEC 41

NO CARD OR OTHER GAMES WILL BE PERMITTED AFTER 10:30 PM.

SEC. 46

A SUITABLE NUMBER OF RED LANTERNS SHALL BE PLACED ON EACH APPARATUS AT THE APPROACH OF

DARKNESS EACH DAY AND KEPT BURNING UNTIL DAYLIGHT

ARTICLE 15

HOSE AND HOSE-PIPE, ETC.

SEC. 1

HOSE TO BE PROPERLY CARED FOR SHOULD BE DRY ON THE APPARATUS AND TO INSURE THIS, IT MUST BE

CHANGED AFTER EVERY FIRE OR EVERY 30 DAYS IF NOT USED AT A FIRE DURING THAT TIME.

ARTICLE 16

COVERS...........(SALVAGE)

SEC. 5

COVER DRILLS SHALL BE PRACTICED REGULARLY ONCE A WEEK BY BOTH UNITS.

SEC. 6

COVERS SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED TO REMAIN ON APPARATUS MORE THEN TWO WEEKS. COVERS IN STOCK

SHALL BE REFOLDED, ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER AND JUDGMENT OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER AND

IN NO CASE SHALL A COVER REMAIN IN STOCK FOR A LONGER PERIOD THEN ONE MONTH WITHOUT

REFOLDING.

ARTICLE 17

WATCH DUTY

SEC. 3

THE MAN ASSUMING THE 12 MIDNIGHT TO 3:00 AM AND THE 3:00 AM. TO 6:00 AM. WATCH SHALL CALL UP

CENTRAL OFFICE AND GIVE HIS DEPARTMENT NUMBER.

SEC. 8

WHEN THE MAN ON WATCH RECEIVES A TELEPHONE ALARM, HE SHALL IMMEDIATELY RING THE HOUSE

GONG

ARTICLE 20

SEC. 1

(LAST SENTENCE)

NO FURLOUGH WILL BE PERMITTED DURING THE MONTHS OF JANUARY, FEBRUARY AND MARCH

ARTICLE 21

SEC. 7

( FIRST TWO SENTENCES)

MEMBERS SHALL NOT ALLOW POLITICAL AND RELIGIOUS DISCUSSION IN ANY COMPANY QUARTERS. NO

MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT SHALL TAKE ANY PART IN POLITICAL AFFAIRS EXCEPT TO CAST HIS VOTE.

SEC. 9

MEMBERS SHALL NOT SMOKE ON THE STREET, IN ANY PUBLIC PLACE OR IN FRONT OF THE COMPANY

QUARTERS WHILE IN UNIFORM.

SEC. 20

MEMBERS SHALL NOT MAKE CALLS OVER THE DEPARTMENT TELEPHONE WITHOUT PERMISSION OF

COMMANDING OFFICER

SEC.22

SEC. 5

SUSPENSIONS SHALL BE MADE BY DEMANDING OF THE MEMBER TO BE SUSPENDED HIS ESCUTCHEONS AND

BUTTONS AND GIVING HIM PERSONAL NOTICE IN WRITING OF HIS SUSPENSION ON BLANK PROVIDED FOR

THAT PURPOSE

ARTICLE 24
UNIFORM
SEC 11
FIRE HATS (HELMETS)

CHIEF OF DEPARTMENT.....................................................WHITE WITH GILT SHIELD

ASSISTANT CHIEF.................................................................WHITE WITH RED SHIELD

DEPUTY CHIEF......................................................................WHITE WITH BLUE SHIELD

BATTALION CHIEF...............................................................WHITE WITH BLACK SHIELD

CAPTAIN................................................................................BLACK WITH WHITE SHIELD

LIEUTENANT.........................................................................BLACK WITH WHITE SHIELD

THE MEN................................................................................BLACK WITH RED SHIELD

RESCUE COMPANY

CAPTAIN.................................................................................RED WITH WHITE SHIELD

LIEUTENANT..........................................................................RED WITH WHITE SHIELD

THE MEN.................................................................................RED WITH RED SHIELD

SEC. 17

ALL MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED FORCE APPEARING IN AND ABOUT QUARTERS WITHOUT COAT MUST WEAR

THE UNIFORM TIE AND BELT.

THE YEAR
1953
"DETROIT"

ARTICLE 4

BATTALION FIRE CHIEF

SEC. 2

BATTALION FIRE CHIEF SHALL CHANGE UNITS SEMI-ANNUALLY DURING JANUARY AND JULY

ARTICLE 5

CAPTAIN

SEC. 2

CAPTAINS OF THE VARIOUS COMPANIES SHALL CHANGE UNITS WITH THE LIEUTENANTS COMMANDING THE

OPPOSITE UNIT, DURING APRIL AND OCTOBER OF EACH YEAR

ARTICLE 8

SEC. 2

COMMANDING OFFICERS SHALL PROCEED WITH THEIR APPARATUS TO ALARM BY THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE]

AND SEE THAT ALL RULES GOVERNING DRIVERS ARE .ENFORCED . COMMANDING OFFICER SHALL

FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH TRAFFIC CONTROL REGULATIONS, TRAFFIC CONGESTION, OBSTACLES AND

OTHER CONDITIONS THAT MAKE CAUSE A DELAY AND SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO RESPOND FOR DEFINITE

CAUSE, BY ALTERNATE ROUTE OTHER THEN THE MOST DIRECT ROUTE

SEC. 21

COMMANDING OFFICERS OF ENGINE COMPANIES, WHEN ORDERED TO PICK UP AFTER WORKING AT A FIRE

AND HAVING USED SIX LENGTHS OR LESS OF 2 1/2 HOSE, SHALL IMMEDIATELY PUT THE COMPANY IN

SERVICE IF RADIO EQUIPPED, OTHERWISE, IMMEDIATELY UPON RETURN TO QUARTERS.

ARTICLE 8 (A)

SEC. 22 (b)

A

ON MULTIPLE ALARM, FILL-IN OR IF OUTSIDE BOUNDARIES OF FIRST ALARM DISTRICT, NOTIFY CENTRAL

OFFICE THAT COMPANY IS RETURNING TO QUARTERS AND WHEN FIRST ALARM DISTRICT IS REACHED ,

PLACE COMPANY IN SERVICE BY RADIO.

ARTICLE 8 (C)

SEC. 23

COMMANDING OFFICER SHALL ASSEMBLE ALL MEMBERS OF THEIR COMPANY ON DUTY AT 10:00 AM EACH

SUNDAY MORNING TO REVIEW THE RULES AND REGULATIONS, DISCUSS NEW OR REVISED ORDERS,

BULLETINS OR OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION DEALING WITH THE OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT

SEC 35

COMMANDING OFFICER SHALL SEE THAT HOSE IS PROPERLY CARED FOR AND DRY WHEN ON APPARATUS.

WET OR SOILED HOSE SHALL BE CHANGED AFTER EVERY FIRE OR EVERY 30 DAYS IF NOT USED AT A FIRE

DURING THAT TIME.

ARTICLE 13

WATCH DUTY

SEC. 6

THE MAN ON WATCH SHALL SEE THAT EVERYTHING IN THE APPARATUS ROOM IS IN PROPER ORDER AND

THAT THE FURNACE AND HEATER FIRE ARE PROPERTY ATTENDED TO.

SEC. 7

BEFORE A MAN ON WATCH LEAVES HIS POST FOR ANY PURPOSE AND NO RELIEF IS AVAILABLE HE SHALL

NOTIFY CENTRAL OFFICE OF HIS DEPARTURE AND RETURN.

ARTICLE 15

SEC 3

UNIFORMS OF ALL DESCRIPTIONS SHALL BE PURCHASED BY MEMBER, FROM THE CONTRACTOR

DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSION TO PROVIDE SUCH UNIFORM TO THE DEPARTMENT ,

SUBJECT TO INSPECTION AND APPROVAL BY INSPECTING OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

OK GUYS, WHO "DUMPED THE CAN"

WHO EVER DUMPED THE CAN HAS TO RECHARGE IT, THAT'S THE RULE . THAT IS UNLESS THERE IS A TRIALMAN ON DUTY

TODAY.

REMEMBER YOU HAD TO RINSE OUT THE CAN

THEN FILL IT TILL ABOUT 4 TO 6 INCHES FROM THE TOP

THEN ADD A ONE POUND BAG OF SODA TO THE WATER

NOW CAME THE PART THAT NOBODY LIKED TO DO

YOU HAD TO VERY CAREFULLY TILT THE LARGE BOTTLE ENCASED IN THAT WOODEN CRATE AND SLOWLY PORE SOME

SULFURIC ACID INTO THE PITCHER.

THEN YOU PUT THE GLASS FUNNEL ON THE EDGE OF THE GLASS EXTINGUISHER BOTTLE AND POURED ACID TO THE HALF

WAY MARK. THIS BOTTLE IN THE PICTURE WASN'T LIKE OURS. OURS HAD AN HOUR GLASS CENTER PART AS

THE BOTTLED NARROWED IN THE CENTER LIKE AN HOUR GLASS. THAT'S WHERE YOU POURED THE ACID TO. ALL THE

WHILE YOU HOPED NOT TO GET SPLASHED WITH ACID.

YOU BROUGHT A BUCKET OF WATER DOWN WITH YOU JUST IN CASE YOU DID GET SPLASHED WITH ACID.

YOU THEN PUT THE LEAD STOPPER ON TOP OF THE BOTTLE, PUTTING THE BOTTLE IN ITS HOLDER AND FINALLY PUTTING THE

WHOLE ASSEMBLY IN THE EXTINGUISHER AND SCREWING THE TOP BACK ON.

REMEMBER HOW RELIEVED WE ALL WERE WHEN WE GOT RID OF THOSE OLD EXTINGUISHERS AND GOT THE ONE WHERE

YOU JUST USED AIR PRESSURE AND WATER.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DID YOU KNOW
THAT THE RIDGES IN OUR HELMETS WERE CALLED CONES OR COMBS
WHILE WE HAVE "8" CONES / COMBS OTHER HELMETS HAD MORE.
HERE IS WHAT I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE NUMBER SOME HAD
IT SEEMS THE REAL HIGH NUMBERED MAY HAVE BEEN PRESENTATION HELMETS RATHER THEN WORKING HELMETS.
THE ARTICLES WEREN'T REAL CLEAR ON THIS
NUMBER OF CONES/COMES
8
12
16
24
32
40
48
56
64
72
80
88
96
104
120
136
148
164

ALSO THE OLD SHIELD HOLDERS AT THE TOP OF THE HELMETS WERE, IN MANY CASES AN EAGLE. THERE WERE OTHER FIGURES...............INCLUDING.....................
SERPENT
FOX
BEAVER
SEA HORSE
GREYHOUND
LION
ROOSTER
FIREMAN

DO YOU KNOW WHAT "CAD" STANDS FOR.......................COME ON SOME OF YOU YOUNGER OLD TIMERS, THINK. THE REAL OLD TIMERS HAVE AN EXCUSE AS IT CAME IN IN 1977

OK HERE'S THE ANSWER

COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH

DID YOU KNOW

THAT DURING THE HORSE ERA GROVES OR CANELS WERE CUT
IN THE FLOORS TO VENT THE STABLE AREA

NOTE: OLD LADDER 12 ON LAFFAYETTE AND 10 TH

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE
DID YOU KNOW

THE NAME POMPIER IS THE FRENCH NAME FOR
"FIREMAN"

DID YOU KNOW

THE REAL EARLY COLOR OF FIRE APPARATUS WAS NOT RED AS

RED PAINT WAS MORE EXPENSIVE TO MAKE, IT WAS GRAY

DID YOU KNOW

WAY BACK THEN

ENGINEER WAS SPELLED ENGENIER

HOSE WAS CALLED LEADERS

COUPLINGS WERE CALLED SCREWS

DID YOU KNOW

YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD YOUR THUMBS ON THE INSIDES OF THE STEERING WHEEL ON THOSE OLD RIGS.

IF YOU HIT SOMETHING WITH THE FRONT WHEELS IT COULD BREAK YOUR THUMBS

DO YOU REMEMBER

AS FIRE APPARATUSES STARTED TO GET BIGGER AND NATURALLY HEAVIER SOME ENGINE HOUSE HAD TO HAVE EXTRA

SUPPORTING PILLARS IN THEIR BASEMENTS

ENGINE HOUSES THAT HAD EXTRA BASEMENT SUPPORTS

OLD ENGINE 48 BAYSIDE & SAUNDERS

ENGINE 47 / LADDER 30 MT, ELLIOT & DAVISON

LADDER 19 10700 SHOEMAKER

ENGINE 27 / LADDER 8 / CHIEF 7 1465 JUNCTION

DO YOU REMEMBER

IN THE WINTER TIME HAVING BOTH BEDS OF LINE TO PICK UP WITH ALL BUTTS FROZEN.

YOU KNEW YOU HAD TO MELT THE ICE ON THE BUTTS TO UN COUPLE THEM AND THAT WAS DONE BY................

SUCKING UP DIESEL FUMES AS YOU PUT THE BUTTS UNDER THE EXHAUST PIPE

REMEMBER OLD TIMER YOU TOOK A DEEP BREATHE AND HOPED THE ICE WOULD MELT BEFORE YOU HAD

TO TAKE ANOTHER BREATHE................YOU ALWAYS SUCKED UP SOME FUMES.................A LOT OF FUMES

OH WELL

DO YOU REMEMBER

COMING HOME FROM A REAL TOUGH DAY AND WHEN YOUR WIFE ASKED HOW WAS YOUR DAY YOU USED THE EXPRESSION

"THEY BEAT US UP"

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DO YOU REMEMBER

IF YOU WERE A WEST SIDER GETTING YOUR WALLET BADGE FROM
GALLAGHERS
I THINK THEY WERE ON EIGHT MILE NEAR LIVERNOIS................BUT I'M NOT SURE..............

. IT WAS OVER 40 YEARS AGO AND ALL THAT ENGINE HOUSE FRIED FOOD CLOGGED A LOT OF MY BRAIN CELLS

DO YOU REMEMBER

RATHER THEN GET A ROPE TO LOWER TO GET A LINE TO THE SECOND FLOOR OF A DWELLING YOU

JUST LOWERED YOUR PIKE POLE OUT OF THE WINDOW. THE GUYS BELOW HOOKED THE PIPES HANDLE

ON YOUR HOOK . YOU THEN RAISED IT UP AND NOW YOU HAD ANOTHER COMPANIES LINE. THE

SHARPER GUYS WOULD MAKE SURE THAT ONE OF THEIR MEN GOT UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR TO

   GET THEIR LINE WHEN IT CAME UP. NOTHING WORSE THEN HAVING ANOTHER COMPANY WORKING

   YOUR LINE FOR THE ENTIRE FIRE. KIND OF LIKE THE OLD WESTERN GUN FIGHTER GIVING HIS TRUSTY

   SIX SHOOTER TO A BYSTANDER WHILE HE SHINES HIS BULLETS

DID YOU KNOW
THAT ON JUNE 1ST 1982 NEW YORK CITY CHANGED THE TERM FIREMEN TO FIREFIGHTER

I USE THE TERM FIREMEN ONLY BECAUSE SINCE I CAME ON IN 1962 THAT'S WHAT WE WERE CALLED.

PROBABLY 20 YEARS FROM NOW THEY WILL CHANGE IT TO FIRE SUPPRESSER AND ANOTHER 20 YEARS CHANGE IT TO FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENTS
HECK I STILL CALL A COACH / SOFA A DAVENPORT

AND I STILL SAY SUPPER INSTEAD OF DINNER

HOLD ON I HAVE TO TURN MY VICTROLA DOWN AS I THINK I HEARD THE DOOR BELL RING.

I'M EXPECTING THE FULLER BRUSH MAN AND THE STANLEY GLUE MAN

TO YOU YOUNGER RETIREES GO ASK YOUR PARENTS WHAT THESE TERMS ARE

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

DID YOU KNOW
THAT WHEN YOU WERE SUSPENDED WAY BACK THEN THEY COULD CUT YOUR UNIFORM BUTTONS OFF.

I CAN RECALL TALKING TO ONE OF OUR GUYS BUT I CAN'T RECALL WHO AND THEY TOLD ME A STORY THEY

HAD HEARD ABOUT SOMEONE BEING SUSPENDED OR GETTING A NOTICE THAT THEY WERE LAID OFF,

AT ROLL CALL THEY HAD THEIR UNIFORM BUTTONS CUT OFF. I HAD

FORGOTTEN TO WRITE IT DOWN AND FORGOT ABOUT IT UNTIL I WROTE A COLUMN ABOUT THE OLD

RULES AND REGULATIONS .

THE 1937 RULES AND REGULATIONS BOOK

ARTICLE 22

SECTION 5

SUSPENSIONS SHALL BE MADE BY DEMANDING, OF THE MEMBER TO BE SUSPENDED, HIS

ESCUTCHEONS AND BUTTONS, AND GIVING HIM PERSONAL NOTICE IN WRITING

OF HIS SUSPENSION ON BLANKS PROVIDED FOR THAT PURPOSE
.

DID YOU KNOW

WAY BACK THEN

A FOREMAN WAS A CAPTAIN

AN ASSISTANT FOREMAN WAS A LIEUTENANT

DID YOU KNOW

PRIOR TO 1805 IN NEW YORK THE MAYOR AND ALDERMAN COMMANDED THE FIREMEN AT A FIRE SCENE

IN 1805 THE COMMAND WAS GIVEN TO THE CHIEF

DO YOU REMEMBER

WHEN THE CHIEF OF WATER RESPONDED TO ALL MULTIPLE ALARMS AND BROUGHT HIS MAPS WITH HIM.

HE WOULD DEVERT WATER TO LOW PRESSURE HYDRANTS

DO YOU REMEMBER

HAVING A PERSONAL PREFERENCE

IN RAISING A LADDER ON THE BEAM OR BY THE RUNGS

DO YOU REMEMBER

WAY BACK THEN

THE ENGINEEER WOULD TELL YOU HIS RIG HAD A "WALKASHAW" MOTOR

DID YOU KNOW THE RED ON OUR FIRE APPARATUS IS:

"TARTAR RED"

FROM

SHERWIN WILLIAM

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

HEY GUYS REMEMBER THIS

THE OLD MSA SMOKE MASK

SEE RIGHT UNDER THAT SILVER RING BY THE NOSE PIECE, THE "FLAPPER" THAT WAS LIKE

THE KIDS NOISE MAKER THAT SOUNDED LIKE A FART. THE DIFFERENCE WAS OUR FLAPPER WASN'T OPEN

ON THE END LIKE THE KIDS TOY. OURS WAS CLOSED ON THE END AND THE SLITS WERE ON EACH SIDES .

SOME GUYS DID SLIT THE END IN HOPES IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO BREATH, I DIDN'T SEE ANY

DIFFERENCE. THAT JUST WOULD HAVE AN AFFECT ON YOUR EXHALING, AS YOU INHALED THROUGH THAT

RED CANISTER. SEE THE BLUE INDICATOR ON THE CANISTER,

THAT WAS TO SHOW WHEN IT WAS TO BE CHANGED. I THINK IT WAS THAT SHADE OF BLUE AND

THEN WITH USAGE IT TURNED A VERY LIGHT BLUE. THERE WAS AN OPENING ON THE BOTTOM THAT I

THINK HAD A PIECE OF TAPE THAT WE RIPPED OFF TO START USING.. HEY GUYS REMEMBER THE BIG GRIPE

WAS THE LACE (LIKE A SHOE LACE ON THE FRONT) THAT WOULD ALWAYS BREAK. ALL MASKS LACES

HAD A BUNCH OF KNOTS IN THEM AS THERE WEREN'T ANY REPLACEMENT LACES THAT I KNEW OF. THE

CANISTER HOLDERS WERE CANVAS AND WERE ALWAYS VERY WELL WORN WITH RIPS IN THEM

AH YES GUYS, I KNOW YOU REMEMBER HOW THE MORE EXCITED YOU GOT THE FASTER YOU BREATHED

AND THE FASTER YOU BREATHED THE HARDER IT WAS TO BREATH. YOU WERE SUCKING IN AIR THROUGH

THAT CANISTER RATHER THEN SUPPLIED AIR THROUGH THE AIR BOTTLES THAT WE GOT LATER ON IN OUR

CAREERS. YOU KEPT TRYING TO TAKE CONTROLLED BREATHES. THEN AFTER A WHILE YOU TOOK OFF

YOUR MASK TO SEE BETTER ( NOTICE THE MASKS JUST HAD TWO EYEPIECES RATHER THEN A FULL FACE

SHIELD) AND TO SUCK IN MORE AIR ESPECIALLY DURING OVER HAULING. YOU BREATHED EASIER NOW

THAT YOU WEREN'T SUCKING AIR IN THROUGH THAT FILTER BUT NOW IT WAS AIR

THAT WAS MOSTLY SMOKE. THEN CAME OUR FAVORITE THINGS ....................CHOKING, COUGHING, PUKING

WE WERE ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH IT AS DWELLINGS WERE MOSTLY OF WOOD INTERIOR.

REMEMBER THEY TOLD US THAT THERE HAD TO BE A CERTAIN PERCENT OF OXYGEN IN THE ATMOSPHERE

FOR US US TO BE ABLE TO USE THE MASKS. YOU HAD TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN BASEMENTS , SUB

BASEMENTS AND UNVENTILATED ATTICS. DID ANY OF YOU OLD GUYS EVER FIGURE OUT HOW TO MEASURE IF

THERE WAS ENOUGH OXYGEN IN A BURNING STRUCTURE TO SUSTAIN LIFE??????????????

I KNOW AFTER THE FACT IF YOUR HEAD WAS SPLITTING YOU KIND OF FIGURED MAYBE THERE WASN'T

ENOUGH OXYGEN........................OH WELL.......................WE MADE IT

NOTE WE COULD HAVE WORKED FOR 35 YEARS IN A STAMPING PLANT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SAFER, BUT NOT AS REWARDING.

DO YOU REMEMBER , AND I KNOW YOU OLD TIMERS DO.

THERE WERE BOTH BAD AND GOOD ASPECTS TO THIS SMOKE MASK ERA.

THE BAD WAS YOU BREATHED IN ALL THE HARMFUL CHEMICALS THAT WEREN'T FILTERED THROUGH THE CANISTER.

ALSO SINCE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO BREATH, WHEN EXCITED AND THE VISION THROUGH THOSE TWO EYE PIECES WASN'T

VERY CLEAR, YOU TOOK OFF YOUR MASK MUCH SOONER THEN IF YOU HAD A "SCBA". THEN YOU SUCKED IN EVEN MORE

HARMFUL CHEMICALS.

THE GOOD WAS YOU WERE HIGHLY MANEUVERABLE,

YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE WEIGHT OF BUNKER PANTS TO SLOW YOU DOWN,( YOU DIDN'T WEAR THE NAVY DECK PANTS FROM

BARRY'S WAR SURPLUS TILL IT WAS THE WINTER TIME.

YOU ALSO HAD A LIGHTER FIRE COAT AND HELMET. THEY DIDN'T OFFER THE PROTECTION THAT THE NEWER EQUIPMENT

DOES BUT THEY WERE LIGHTER.

SO SINCE WE HAD LIGHTER FIRE COATS , MASKS, HELMETS AND NO BUNKER PANTS WE HAD A GREATER MOBILITY

EARLIER IN OUR CAREERS THEN THE LATER YEARS. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY HELPFUL IN RUNNING ON THE ROOF. MOST OF

THE TIME YOU DIDN'T EVEN WEAR THE SMOKE MASK UP THERE AND YOU WERE FREE TO SWING AWAY.

THEN ON THE INSIDE YOU COULD TAKE YOUR PIKE POLE , PULL DOWN THE CEILING, JUMP ON THE DRESSER, AND WITHOUT

ANY HELP PULL YOURSELF INTO THE ATTIC, REACH DOWN AND THE GUYS WOULD PAST YOU THE LINE AND IT WAS ALL

YOURS TO "PLAY AWAY". HEY GUYS REMEMBER SAYING TO YOURSELF
" SELF, IT SURE IS RIPE UP HERE" IF THE ATTIC WASN'T

VENTILATED. YOUR HEAD FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SPLIT AFTER THE FIRE, DUE TO THE LACK OF OXYGEN.

AH YES YOU OLD FARTS, MEMORIES

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER ALL THIS CRAP TO BORE THE REALLY OLDER FARTS IN THE "HOME"

WHILE THEY'LL BE TELLING STORIES ABOUT HOW MANY PARTS THEIR MACHINE WAS ABLE TO STAMP OUT PER DAY WE CAN

TELL "FIRE STORIES"

HEY GUYS DO YOU THINK THE GUYS STILL TELL:

STORIES AND LIES

&

LIES AND STORIES

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE

HEY GUYS
THE CHEMOX MASKS

BELOW IS WHAT I REPRINTED FROM ONE MY OLD CLASSMATES

. Do you remember the "Chemox Rebreather"? This one was designed for commercial buildings that had sub-basements or
multible subs. Remember how Chief of training, taught us how to don this affair, and activate it? I believe it was good for about (2) hrs. One had to screw open a rubber
tube and breath into it until the canvas covered rubber bladder filled. Then with the rubber hose screwed shut you would don the face piece and begin breathing. The
bladder was not to be overfilled. I was looking around and already had the feeling of swimming around in a pitch black sub-basement wearing something less than a
Jacque Costeau aqua-lung. As fate would have it; I never actually used this piece of apparatus ever. As I remember, none of us at the " fire school" relished the idea of
ever having to use this piece of antiquity.

NOTE, I DID HAVE AN OCCASION TO USE THE CHEMOX ONCE

IT WAS IN A COMMERCIAL SUB BASEMENT AND I WAS A YOUNG "WHIPPER SNAPPER"

THE CHIEF TOLD US NOT TO GO IN THERE WITH OUR SMOKE MASKS BUT TO USE THE CHEMOX. THE GUYS

MADE SURE WE KNEW HOW TO OPERATE IT BEFORE WE DESCENDED DOWN TO THE SUBBASEMENT. IT

WORKED VERY WELL, I HAD NO PROBLEM WHATSOEVER. THAT WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY TIME I EVER

WORE ONE.

MAKE SOMEONE SMILE TODAY
WAYNE