The Legend of Old Red begins with Chapter 1 HERE.
Chapter 2
One of the department’s Old Salts was “Hank.” Hank had been the department’s very first black Firefighter and had come into the department the same week that the new Seagrave had arrived, fresh from the factory in Columbus. Being a “probie,” it was Hank’s job to take care of “The Beast” . Hank and The Beast became inseparable. Over the years, Hank’s attachment had deepened and The Beast had become “his.” If there were questions about maintenance or mechanical issues, you asked Hank, not the Chief. Hank could tell you when the last servicing was, when the last time that the pump was repacked and how long it had been since the hose has been tested. If it was on “his” truck, he took care of it and knew all about it.
Over the years, the red had faded some and the diamond plate worn near smooth but there was still life in the Beast. Hank swore that when the bell rang, the Beast became a demon. Its normal sluggish performance became something to behold. The truck seemed to come to life and the drivers said that they felt that the truck knew the way to the fire. Over those same years, Hank had begun to call the engine by a more affectionate name, “Old Red” and gradually, the rest of the department adopted the name too. Little did they know.
Chapter 3 appears HERE.
* * *
* * * * *
