Monday Morning – Talk About An Equipment Check!

Have you ever heard of the Last Resort Fire Department?  It kind of sounds like something out of the Old West and that's just where they are located.  Our friends in Washington State no doubt are familiar with the LRFD because their HQ and main station is in Seattle.

If you haven't figured out yet, it's a very quaint and imaginative name for an organization that saves and restores antique firetrucks with an emphasis on the Seattle FD and immediate area.  According to their WEBSITE, they are in their 44th year of service and have accumulated what they claim is the largest collection of antique motorized fire apparatus in the Pacific Northwest.  Their storage and maintenance shop house about a dozen of their restored pieces including four ladder trucks while some of their collection is also on display in the Seattle Fire Department museum downtown.  From their website:

Our primary mission has always been the preservation of Seattle Fire Department history. Our collection is comprised of several unique fire apparatus from the SFD. Included are Seattle's only Ahrens-Fox, which was fully restored in the mid-1960's, and three of Seattle's tillered aerials – their last wooden aerial – a 1929 Mack, their first metal aerial – a 1937 Seagrave, and their last "conventional-cab" tillered aerial – a 1969 Kenworth/Maxim. We also have the SFD's last city-service ladder truck – a 1950 Kenworth, and what we believe to be the oldest surviving motorized fire apparatus from the SFD – a 1913 Seagrave City Service Ladder. The SFD's only Bulldog Mack is included in our collection, although it has yet to be restored.

We work closely with the Seattle Fire Department, providing apparatus for fire prevention activities, fire station dedications and open houses, as well as recruit graduation ceremonies. In addition, upon request, we transport their horse-drawn and motorized steamers to parades and displays. We strive to promote a professional image in keeping with fire service tradition.

Looks like a great outfit, doesn't it?  I suggest that you take a few minutes and stroll around their informative WEBSITE and take a look at their handiwork and collection.  Lots of good photos if you click around.

And just be glad your Monday morning check sheet isn't as big as the LRFD's.  But we'd better get started on ours now, so while you do that I will get the Bunn-O-Matic fired up for a fresh pot before we meet back in the day room.

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Fire Engineering – May 1953

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Fire Engineering – October 1959

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Fire Engineering – October 1959

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Thursday Morning

Back in February 2009, we posted a story about the paramedics in Lambton, Ontario, taking on the mission of restoring the sole, remaining horse-drawn ambulance in the province.  They are not doing the restoration themselves, but they have been gathering donations and fund-raising to pay for the restoration of the classic ambulance that is housed in the Lambton Heritage Museum.

At the time we wrote:  The ambulance was built in 1908 by the Petrolia Wagon Works Co. and was in use up until the first motorized ambulance was put in service. The ambulance was originally commissioned by the Town of Petrolia and was used to bring the sick and injured to the hospital. It was kept with the fire apparatus at Victoria Hall. The men working in the oil industry surrounding Petrolia were particularly vulnerable to injury in such a dangerous occupation. The ambulance was needed to go out into the oil fields around town to retrieve injured workers and transport them in relative comfort.

We heard from the group yesterday with an update on their activities that have progressed very well over the past two years.

Despite the outward appearance of the buggy, there is still some work to be done and they have commissioned two paintings and are selling the artist-quality prints to help advance the continuing restoration.  One of them is a rendition of the ambulance responding in the oil fields 100 years ago.

The other is just coming available and is a view of Petrolia's 1882 Amoskeag steam pumper (image not yet available).  These are quality prints as reflected by the price, but if you or anybody you know are collectors, then this will be a good  consideration to add.  CLICK HERE to order the ambulance print and when we can, we will publish the link to the steamer page.

For you antique restoration buffs, CLICK HERE for a photo gallery of the restoration job.

Now we need to fast-forward to the 21st century and get our own equipment checked out.  I'm heading for the Bunn-O-Matic…. see you back in the day room.

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Thursday Morning – Vroom, Vrooom!

I meant to show you this three weeks ago, but other stuff kept popping up along with the 9/11 commemorations and it just slowly slid down the InBox pile.  The head of our search team, Mark Donovan came across this unusual antique fire engine that is currently being cared for in Gorham, Maine.  This is Big Red – The Monster Fire Truck.

Big Red has its own Facebook page where we are told that it is taken to parades and other outdoor events and used to generate contributions for several local children's charities.  The owners provide this description of the beast:

The 1937 International fire truck is a 100% operational fire aparatus with 350 gallons of on board water. Big Red was originally in service with the Danville, Ky. Fire Dept. Measuring nearly 40 ft in length, 12 ft 4 in wide and 11 ft 9 and 1/2 inches tall, this "Big Red Monster" weighs in at 35,000 lbs. Unlike most other retired fire engines however, this one was turned into a monster truck powered by Cummins Diesel Engines.

Big Red is owned by Shaw Brothers Construction in Gorham, Maine. Glenn Meehan is the man behind the wheel when Big Red is out doing parades or involved in different events.

This monster has already broken several Guinness World Records including the world's heaviest and longest monster truck.

The body and frame are all original, but that suspension…. wow!  The tires are 66 x 43 x 25.  Just 3-½ yrs. ago it sold at auction for a mere $26,000.  Talk about a great parade piece, eh?

They have a lot of photos on their FB page, so when you get a chance, click on over there and take a peek.

Since they keep it fully operational, I wonder what their daily check sheet looks like?  What do you suppose some of the items on that one are?

Well, we'd better look at our morning checksheets now and make sure our own monsters are ready to go.  I'm going to get some more coffee started, then we'll meet back in the day room.

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"I've Wanted One Since I Was a Boy…"

ASK ANDY SCHILLING OF NEW ATHENS, ILLINOIS, why he bought a retired fire engine three weeks ago and that's what he'll tell you.  But his toy came in mighty handy this past Monday when his son's home had a fire in the basement.

Andy Schilling and his new toy.  (Post-Dispatch photo)

Schilling bought the 1987 Ford pumper equipped with a 750-gallon booster tank for $5,000 from the O'Fallon Fire Department in southern Illinois and before he drove it away, they showed him how to put the pump in gear and charge the line.  Fortunately, as it turned out, he left the tank filled because he primarily wanted the truck to clean off heavy equipment at his hog farm and other chores, as well as having some fun with his grandkids.

But on Monday his whimsical purchase was repaid when fire was discovered in his son's home also located on the farmland.  The fire was in the basement, apparently started by a clothes dryer, and Andy, his son Michael, and a farmhand broke out a basement window and aimed the nozzle at the fire, knocking it down.  The St. Louis Post-Dispatch tells:

Michael Schilling's wife, Nicki, spotted the fire when she returned from an errand. Farm employee Nick Mercer rescued the couple's cat, Charlie, from the house. Michael Schilling ran for the firetruck. His father raced there in his pickup.

"I'm glad we knew how to operate it, because a firetruck is pretty complicated," said Andy Schilling. "It can empty its tank in less than a minute. We put the nozzle on 'spray' and got some good water through the window."

Michael and Nicki Schilling, who were married less than a month ago, are staying on a family property near Marissa while their home is being repaired. Andy Schilling said he had dealt before with small fires on the farm. Having a personal firetruck is a big improvement, he said.

"It seems like I'd grab a fire extinguisher that never worked," said Schilling. "What we have is a play toy with a purpose."

When the first units arrived from the Smithton Fire Protection District, they were surprised to see a pumper from O'Fallon, which is 20 miles away already on the scene.

Read the full story in the Post-Dispatch HERE.

Thanks to Bill J.

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Some Upcoming Events to Plan on Visiting

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Notice -  Postponed from Aug. 28 because of Irene
New date and time:

German-American Firefighters Association 28th Annual Fire Muster

September 4 • Southampton, Pennsylvania
9:00 am to 3:00 pm

The muster will be held rain or shine. We are expecting about 100 fire companies, vendors and fire buffs that will display antique, modern, special, unusual and otherwise interesting fire fighting apparatus. There are prizes for antique and modern vehicles owned by departments as well as individually owned. All entries will receive a dash plaque and a muster booklet.

Website:
http://sites.google.com/site/germanamericanffs/

contact info:
German-American Firefighters Association
215-332-7538; igafa@igafa.com

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59th Annual International Fire Buff Associates Convention

September 6–10, 2011 • Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey

-Seminars including 9/11 First Responders
-Antique Fire Muster and Display
-Hudson River Harbor Cruise
-Demonstration and Display of Neptune Large Caliber Foam System
-Urban Search and Rescue Demonstration and Display
-Fire House Tours
-Tour of Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Intrepid and other points of interest.

Web page (URL):
http://www.fbanj.com/

Contact:  Paul Schaetzle, President
schaetzle@fbanj.com

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Cruisin' For Our Heroes, Motor Muster and Tribute

September 10, Fire Museum of Maryland
Lutherville – Timonium

Outside Events – 10 am to 2 pm; Museum Open 10 am to 4 pm

Baltimore County Sheriff's Office and the Fire Museum honor area Fire, EMS, Police and Military Personnel along with the men and women who responded to the events of 9/11/2001.

As many as 30 antique and modern apparatus on display, plus antique and custom cars, police vehicles and motorcycles, airport crash trucks, pumping demonstrations with the 1898 Hale Water Tower. Fire Engine models on display, Food and games for the children. Inside the Museum are 42 antique fire apparatus, dating from 1806.

Outside events and pumping demonstrations are free, Museum admission is $12 Adults, $10 Seniors and Fire Fighters, $5 Children (2-18)

Fire Museum of Maryland, info@firemuseummd.org, , 410-321-7500
Website:  http://www.firemuseummd.org
 

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The 32nd Annual Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival

Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday September 15, 16, 17, 18, 2011
Sponsored by the Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival Committee!

 Parade Saturday Morning and Competitions All Day
CLICK HERE for detailed listing of activities for all four days!

Free Admission and Free Parking.
For further information:

http://www.firemensmemorial.org/

Michigan's Firemen's Memorial Festival Committee
P.O. Box 672
Roscommon, Mi 48653

Phone and Fax (989) 275 5880

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132nd Annual Firemen’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania Convention

September 21–24, 2011 • Kidder, Pennsylvania

Event hours:
Sept 21 11:30am onwards
Sept 22 8:00am-10:00pm
Sept 23 8:00am-11:00pm
Sept 24 8:00am onwards

One of our goals this year is to celebrate the proud history of the fire service by showcasing hand, horse and motorized antique fire apparatus. We will be displaying many of these units during the fire expo.  More info. on website:  http://www.2011pastateconvention.com/

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info@fairfaxfireofficers.org

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WPI Firefighters' Fund 7th Annual Stop-Drop-n-Roll Chili Cook-Off

When? Saturday, October 15th, 2011 10 am – 5 pm

Where? Parking lot of Bass Pro Shop in Grapevine, TX

Update:  Chili Team Registration is now open!

An October Texas tradition, the annual Stop-Drop-n-Roll Chili Cook-Off brings in thousands of rabid chili enthusiasts nationwide. Admission is free, and all-day chili sample cups are $5 a pop. Every dollar contributed or donated goes directly to the WPIFF: no expenses, no red tape, and no neglected firefighters.

$20 to register your chili team, prizes awarded to winners, vendor booths, kids activities, live music, raffle, and much more!

More info? Visit www.wpiff.org or call 888.616.7976 or email wpiff@williams-pyro.com

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Kansas Firefighters Museum Parade

October 15, 2011 • Wichita, Kansas

The parade features antique fire engines, modern fire trucks, antique cars, local ROTC groups,
the Kansas Firefighter Calendar contestants, food, drinks, games and more.

Website: http://members.cox.net/ksfm/

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ANNUAL FIRE MEMORABILIA AUCTION

Novermber 5 – Southborough, Massachusetts

Handtub Junction, USA
508-786-0977; handtubjunction@aol.com

Hours and location TBA

http://www.handtubs.com/
 

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Do you have a fire-related event, muster, antique show, flea market, etc., coming up? Send us the info. to: geezerguys (at) yahoo (dot) com.  Be sure to include website links, graphics and phone contact, and we'll post it in our Upcoming Events listings.  (Special thanks to Collectors Weekly for assistance  http://www.collectorsweekly.com/  )

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Firegeezer just recieved the following email:

With the safety of our participants and guests foremost in our thoughts, that we must inform you that the German-American Firefighters Association Annual Muster will be POSTPONED until Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 9:00 AM. We acknowledge that we did advertise the even as rain or shine, but this weekend’s severe weather has dictated a last minute change.

Both the German-American Firefighters Association and our partners in the Muster, Gibson Road Antique Fire Association, have a tremendous amount of respect for the hours of labor spent preparing vehicles for show by fire companies and private owners. After talking with members of the Muster and Buff communities, we thought that it was appropriate to seek a new date for the event so participants will have the opportunity to show their trucks and enjoy the fruits of their labor. We also understand that the new date is not convenient to all because of family commitments or previously scheduled events, but when taking into consideration all factors involved in setting a new date, September 4 proved to be the best compromise. We appreciate the flexibility that the Vereinigung Erzgebirge has shown us in rescheduling on such short notice.

Please understand are doing this out of concern for all those that may try to attend and the dangers that may be posed by Hurricane Irene. We also must recognize that most of our participants are active members of the fire and emergency services and that they will be committed, along with their apparatus, to protecting their respective communities during this impending natural disaster.

Thank you for your understanding and to all our emergency services personnel, we thank you and pray for your safety through this storm.

Sincerely,

David Kearney
President
German-American Firefighters Association

And

Alexander "AJ" DeAngelis
President
Gibson Road Antique Fire Association

German-American Firefighters Association WEBSITE

Tuesday Morning – Pressure's Up

If any of you were in Raleigh, North Carolina, Saturday for the Firetruck parade capping off the South Atlantic Fire Rescue Expo, then you had a real treat.  The Charlotte FD firefighters brought their fully-restored horse-drawn steamer and it was the hit of the parade.  And in a stroke of good showmanship, the parade organizers had a modern tiller truck following right behind the steamer in the parade.

Mike Legeros photo

Dubbed "Old Sue," the truck is a 1902 American LaFrance Metropolitan.  Following the parade, Old Sue was stationed in front of the convention center and put on a pumping demonstration drafting from a portable tank.

Mike Legeros

Our reporting comes from Mike Legeros, publisher of Raleigh/Wake Firefighter Blog and also official historian for the Raleigh FD.  Mike documented the parade and the steamer appearance, and he has some related pages on his website that I recommend for you to view.  First of all, CLICK HERE to go to the entry page.  Make sure that you scroll down to the bottom of the page where Mike has many links to No. Carolina steamer histories and photos along with more parade photo galleries.

Also, view his 92-image photo gallery of the parade HERE.  Then check out the 93-image gallery featuring the steamer HERE.

I certainly envy the Charlotte firefighters for their opportunity to restore, maintain, and demonstrate for the public that beautiful specimen of firefighting history.  They made this video last year and posted it on YouTube:

Ok…back to the modern era now, so let's get our own equipment checked out while I get some more coffee started.

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For a