The "Little white squares" are repeaters from what I was told. New apparatus has the mount for a Roto-ray but the individual stations buy the Roto-ray or in some cases I've seen Mars lights and my guess is that there is no rules for the colors.
Having never personally seen the units you speak of(try to get a photo if you can). I'm thinking it might be the "Fireboat Support Unit" which is used pretty much for everything you've just described. I'm sure others on here can help further. However now you make me wanna go hunting for this rig myself.
The little white squares are repeaters for our 800 radio system. We are supposed to be seated while in motion but dont. And we have the option to buy a Roto Ray or Mars light or both. And the colors are that companys decision. And it sounds like the Fire Boat support unit. It does handle EMS calls around the Marina.And it also carries some of the extra gear.
There were two simultaneous calls near my house today. RS1 came out to free some people from a stuck elevator right at the same time there was a fire across the street at the Arena stage.
I got some video of the units coming and going as well as some pictures that I'll post later.
So I got some pics of my "Mystery Truck" a few days ago at the grocery store. It was;t quite as I remembered it but it is the truck I had been looking for. It does have a stripe but it is a 2 door cab, not a 4 door as I remembered. The plate on the front is "59" and the truck is an E One.
that is the former Rapid HAZMAT unit (replaced by HAZMAT 2, former WMD unit (American LaFrance/Beaverbuilt)), now the Water Rescue Support Unit that replaced the FireBoat Support Unit
So the WMD Unit is now Called Hazmat 2? is it lettered as such? Where they keeping that? And the Rapid Hazmat is now the Water Rescue Support Unit kept at the fireboat station replacing the fireboat support unit suburban?
[quote name='poindexter6' date='25 October 2009 - 09:01 PM' timestamp='1256521263' post='344583']
Is the support unit staffed? What kind of calls does it run? What equipment do they carry?
Thanks!
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Poindexter, may I suggest you check out a subscription to the Wagon Pipe Newsletter..... http://www.friendshipfire.org/Museum-Wagon%20Pipe.html since you are new to DC and its surroundings. They cover the DC area, Northern VA and suburban Maryland.
Dave McClung
Arden Hills, Minnesota but....
my heart is also back in Northern VA, especially Alexandria.
All pictures are taken by me and subject to copyright.
No picture taken by me may be copied or linked without my
Here are the pictures from the fire at the Arena Stage (SW Waterfront) as promised. Sorry for the images, they were taken at night with a non-existant flash.