I know there is already a separate thread regarding the passing of Rick Rudisill. I wanted to add a photograph to that thread but was unable to do so (I don’t believe the thread accepts attachments).
The news of Rick passing shocked me. Rick is the person who got me started in the hobby of photographing fire apparatus. I had received my driver’s license at the age of 16 and immediately started photographing fire apparatus with a small instamatic camera. I don’t recall how I actually reached out to Rick, however I assume it was through The Visiting Fireman books. I sent Rick samples of my work from my instamatic camera, and I am pretty sure he must have rolled his eyes and thought this Sanders guy needs some help. I recall that the letter that was returned was encouraging – dump the instamatic and get a 35mm camera, ways to get better apparatus photos, gathering information on the truck, etc. It also included a Rick Rudisill sample, which is what I have attached. This was the very first photograph I ever “traded” with anyone, and quite frankly, it means a ton to me. It is Pottsville, PA 1977 Seagrave 100’ with 1000/200. His letter and photo started a very long timeframe of trading photos with Rick. As a result, I have quite a few PA photos as well as other areas that he visited. But more than that……it was the springboard into a hobby that I have loved for 32 years. The apparatus photographs are one thing……it is the people that mean the most. Rick took the time and encouraged a newbie to enjoy the hobby. That alone showed a lot about the man.
I will let you know that I never personally met Rick. Everything was done through the mail. He invited me to attend the Hershey parades that use to be a yearly event. We never hooked up because he was involved with the parade and I was in awe over the number of fire trucks gathered together at one place. I regret I never had the opportunity to shake his hand.
I hate cancer, which from what I understand is how Rick died. As with most, I have been personally touched by this terrible disease with the loss of a family member.
My prayers and thoughts are with Rick’s family and the members of the Hershey VFD family.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. Sunday, September 1, Pikesville Volunteer Fire Company (Baltimore County, MD) Squad 322 and Utility 329 responded with BCoFD Engine 2, EMS 5, Medic 14 and Medic 19 and Baltimore County Police to a two-car crash on Old Court Road & Town Center Place. Firefighters triaged and treated two victims, who were transported with non-life threatening injuries to area hospitals.
I was really fortunate enough to spend last weekend visiting three Royal Air Force stations that are occupied by the United States Air Force. RAF Lakenheath, RAF Feltwell and RAF Mildenhall.
It is normally very difficult for the general public to get access into these airfields, but one of the guys had put a lot of effort into the trip and it paid off.
First up, RAF Lakenheath.
This airfield is situated in Suffolk, about eight miles from the town of Thetford (which is actually in Norfolk).
It is home to the 48th Fighter Wing known as The Liberty Wing and operates mostly F15E and F15C Eagle aircraft.
They operate two Fire Stations on opposite sides of the airfield, but rather than visiting both they kindly brought over two of the trucks to the main station.
Engines 3, 4, 7, 8 Quint 7 Res1cue Battalion 103 Medic 3 Safety 116 and EMS 1660 had heavy fire involvement in the attic of this 2 1/2 story frame house just north of downtown (practically across the street from Engine 2's old house). 3 lines brought the fire under control.
I'll be in Jacksonville, FL for a convention the last week of September. Any suggestions on friendly stations to visit or grocery stores to get some street shots? I'll have a couple of 1/2 days (probably) and will have a car, so travel won't be a problem. Any suggestions would be a great help.
I'll be in Jacksonville, FL for a convention the last week of September. Any suggestions on friendly stations to visit or grocery stores to get some street shots? I'll have a couple of 1/2 days (probably) and will have a car, so travel won't be a problem. Any suggestions would be a great help.
Last weekend I had the privilege of photographing the Portraits of Hope project in Aspen & Snowmass, Colorado. The organization brought 2,000 children and 250 adult volunteers from various hospitals & social service programs together for creative therapy. Large canvases with black outlines were provided to the facilities and the children filled them with color. The Braille Institute was one of the participants and their canvas outlines were textured to allow the visually impaired students to paint also. Each year Portraits of Hope conducts the largest public art project in the country by decorating various objects. In past years they’ve covered LA Lifeguard Towers, NY Taxi Cabs, Planes, NASCAR’s, Boats and Blimps. For 2013 the organizers wanted to decorate emergency vehicles and one of them had a connection to the Snowmass Village community. They approached Snowmass-Wildcat Fire who also invited Aspen Fire & Aspen Ambulance District to the planning meetings. The artwork was converted into vehicle wraps and installed on the apparatus. Mountain Rescue, Pitkin Sheriff & Aspen Police also joined in and decorated their vehicles. Installation on all 32 vehicles was completed in mid-June and will remain until fall. Aspen Ambulance is currently working with Portraits of Hope to keep the graphic wraps until the end of the ESPN X-Games so the project will get even more promotion.
Firefighters arrived at 9300 Piney Branch Rd in Silver Spring and encountered heavy fire coming from a terrace level apartment with fire extending to the upper floors of the four-story garden style apartment building with several people trapped on their balconies calling for help.
