Pacific Northwest

[Frank B]

[quote name='vfrse3' post='148570' date='Sep 15 2007, 07:01 ']I think this rig is for Racine WISCONSIN- not WA- don't think there is a town called Racine in Washington[/quote]





[color="#8B0000"]Ok Thanks.[/color]

[Guest]

Seaside, Oregon





I could not resist posting this. I figured these guys were doing beach patrol/lifeguard duties. What a life!!



   

[Bryce]

Just keeping this thread alive by posting some pics that I took on 6/2/91 when I was 14 years old. The first one is Seattle Ladder 4, Unit 99 (the shipboard firefighting unit -- a converted aid car), Engine 36, and Engine 2. Love those KW's!

[Bryce]

Here's a whole bunch of SFD engines -- all of these are either in reserve now, or long gone.

[Bryce]

Here's Engine 21. This was the oldest in-service KW at the time. It ended up rotting away in Alaska for awhile. I remember pics of it were posted on the old email list. Thankfully, it's been restored.

[srq2009]

Those are awesome pictures Bryce! I love seeing Seattle stuff.



I spent the summer there in 2006 (along with many christmases past) in Seattle...and I love that fire department. I am dying to see the new R14 and Haz 1 in person, but I won't be in seattle for at least another 6 or 7 months.



Remark - I see that those '87 Western States/Spartan trucks have Fed Qs then, but any of the ones still around now only have the electronic sirens...and now Seattle puts electronic Qs on its trucks...I just think it's interesting.



Got any more good Seattle stuff?!

[Bryce]

[quote name='srq2009' post='172778' date='Dec 20 2007, 15:20 ']Those are awesome pictures Bryce! I love seeing Seattle stuff.



I spent the summer there in 2006 (along with many christmases past) in Seattle...and I love that fire department. I am dying to see the new R14 and Haz 1 in person, but I won't be in seattle for at least another 6 or 7 months.



Remark - I see that those '87 Western States/Spartan trucks have Fed Qs then, but any of the ones still around now only have the electronic sirens...and now Seattle puts electronic Qs on its trucks...I just think it's interesting.



Got any more good Seattle stuff?![/quote]



I've got a bunch more old SFD pics from the late 80's 'til now. I just need to find the time to scan them in! With a kid on the way, it's hard to find the time. <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/doh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I'll try to scan some more this weekend.



The Western States rigs all originally had Qs, as did the Spartan/LTI rigs delivered around the same time. They took off the Qs and replaced them with electronic sirens when they started having problems with the AVLs on the rigs. Back then, they used a dead reckoning Loran-type AVL system. When they spun up the Q, it'd restart. So off went the Qs. Also, this was pre-GPS, so if you somehow got off track and the system didn't have you positioned accurately, I was told once that you had to drive to the Kingdome to get it to reset and accurately show where you were! Eventually they scrapped the whole thing...probably for the best.



PM me when you're coming out if you're gonna do some photos.

[rlukas1]

And on the other side of the lake, Bellevue WA has a brand new Engine 1, 2008 Pierce Arrow XT with a new BFD logo to go with it.



Bob Lukas photo

[rlukas1]

Bellevue Light Force 7 Engine, with their H&W rig



Bob Lukas photo

[rlukas1]

And the other half....

[Bryce]

Any shots of the business end of that new Arrow XT? I drove by Station 6 last weekend and Engine 6 is now in an identical rig, so they obviously bought at least two. They're the first Bellevue rigs to have Q2s in 20 years. I think Redmond and Shoreline may also have some Arrow XTs on the way.

[rlukas1]

Rear view, neat ladder compartment...

[rlukas1]

And the pump panel

[srq2009]

Great pics! I love that Arrow XT! Seems like Pierces haven't been very popular in the past (?), but are making a dent in the market in the Seattle area lately (Seattle, Bellevue, Tukwila, etc.)...



Anyway, keep em coming!

[rlukas1]

[quote name='srq2009' post='174790' date='Dec 28 2007, 23:02 ']Great pics! I love that Arrow XT! Seems like Pierces haven't been very popular in the past (?), but are making a dent in the market in the Seattle area lately (Seattle, Bellevue, Tukwila, etc.)...



Anyway, keep em coming![/quote]

It's a thing of beauty as far as I'm concerned. I think Mercer Island is waiting on a Pierce too. They're finally going red.

[rlukas1]

This is as close to the business end of the XT I got....

[Ladder 68]

I understand the TF/LF concept that LA City and LA County run, but how does Bellvue run a LF?



Thanks.

[rlukas1]

[quote name='Ladder 68' post='174838' date='Dec 29 2007, 08:44 ']I understand the TF/LF concept that LA City and LA County run, but how does Bellvue run a LF?



Thanks.[/quote]

Here's how I believe Bellevue works their assignments with LF consisiting of 1 engine and 1 truck. There are 9 stations and 3 LF units. A LF goes on every fire alarm in their assigned LF area along with the closest local engine(s), to assure at least a 2 and 1 response. They will also respond as 1 and 1 to any call in their first alarm response area. If anyone has any additonal info to add, please jump in.

BTW, I heard that because of all the high rise growth they are seriously looking into establishing fire station 10 in the middle of downtown.

[DaveYoung]

TransverseRoad: I knew about the LF's at Stations 3 and 7. Is the third LF fairly recent? What station is it running from? Thanks in advance and thank you as well for all of the Seattle metro information and pics. I don't get up there much anymore.

[bbirmingham]

Regarding the Bellevue Light Force units....There are only 2. They are LF 3 and LF 7. I read recently on their Union's website that staffing for LF 3 may suffer a bit in the coming years. They may have to run with one less firefighter on some days. I don't know if that means they leave the engine behind or not.



As far as their response is concerned, the Light Force responds as an engine company or as a truck company depending on the nature of the call.