[quote name='Truckman' date='30 July 2010 - 02:25 PM' timestamp='1280513136' post='395340']
Do I remember? Oh Yes, how well I do. The run would come in and if possible you got your 3/4'ers on before stepping up or you put them on going down the street, likewise the coat. regardless whether you got the boots and coat on before the company turned out, the helmet went on the head! When the Officer turned and looked back he was looking at helmets and told to driver to GO!
The 17's was a two piece company. The Engine that followed the wagon was driver only and carried the exact same load of hose and tools and appliances as the Wagon did.
That way if the Wagon had to go to the auto shop for a PMI or other maintenance the other Engine was ready to go. The only thing that had to be moved maybe was a map book, the breathing apparatus, then is was the all service mask which stayed on the members coats and a few minor items.
During major storms or other emergencies when the city would call members back, the off duty shift had a rig that was ready for service. Back then we had 2 shifts.
[/quote]
Yep, those were the days, alright. Get on the step, throw your stuff up on top of the hose bed cover (wood, with a canvas tarp cover) and it was off to the races. Two would take turns holding one as we got dressed going down the road, still paying attention so you would know when to expect that pothole or frost heave, or anticipate the upcoming curve so you could lean into it. I believe they call that multi tasking today. In winter, it was so much more fun; do all of the above while hiding behind the afformentioned canvas cover as the snow/sleet peppered any and all of you. We never; NEVER were not dressed and ready to go when we got to the call. The embarassment (and related ribbing) was something to be avoided at all cost. I also remember fabricating our first set of Mattydale crosslays out of plywood, and just connecting to the side discharges using reducers. Deck gun was "pre-plumbed" in the same fashion. We sure could fight fire, though. I look at some of the stuff out on my apparatus floor now, and sometimes just stare in amazement at the amount of changes. Of course, we still can fight fire with them! Also, hose loads were always repacked with great care and attention, no matter how busy (or tired, for that matter) you were. Again, avoid embarassment at all cost. It was a matter of pride, every bit of it; from your uniform right up through the station and the pieces. For the most part, I like where we are today, but do miss some of the older traditions that are no longer. They certainly weren't ALL bad! Thanks for listening; I know there are those on here that can really appreciate these, and similar memories. TJ (37 years in and counting!) <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />
Do I remember? Oh Yes, how well I do. The run would come in and if possible you got your 3/4'ers on before stepping up or you put them on going down the street, likewise the coat. regardless whether you got the boots and coat on before the company turned out, the helmet went on the head! When the Officer turned and looked back he was looking at helmets and told to driver to GO!
The 17's was a two piece company. The Engine that followed the wagon was driver only and carried the exact same load of hose and tools and appliances as the Wagon did.
That way if the Wagon had to go to the auto shop for a PMI or other maintenance the other Engine was ready to go. The only thing that had to be moved maybe was a map book, the breathing apparatus, then is was the all service mask which stayed on the members coats and a few minor items.
During major storms or other emergencies when the city would call members back, the off duty shift had a rig that was ready for service. Back then we had 2 shifts.
[/quote]
Yep, those were the days, alright. Get on the step, throw your stuff up on top of the hose bed cover (wood, with a canvas tarp cover) and it was off to the races. Two would take turns holding one as we got dressed going down the road, still paying attention so you would know when to expect that pothole or frost heave, or anticipate the upcoming curve so you could lean into it. I believe they call that multi tasking today. In winter, it was so much more fun; do all of the above while hiding behind the afformentioned canvas cover as the snow/sleet peppered any and all of you. We never; NEVER were not dressed and ready to go when we got to the call. The embarassment (and related ribbing) was something to be avoided at all cost. I also remember fabricating our first set of Mattydale crosslays out of plywood, and just connecting to the side discharges using reducers. Deck gun was "pre-plumbed" in the same fashion. We sure could fight fire, though. I look at some of the stuff out on my apparatus floor now, and sometimes just stare in amazement at the amount of changes. Of course, we still can fight fire with them! Also, hose loads were always repacked with great care and attention, no matter how busy (or tired, for that matter) you were. Again, avoid embarassment at all cost. It was a matter of pride, every bit of it; from your uniform right up through the station and the pieces. For the most part, I like where we are today, but do miss some of the older traditions that are no longer. They certainly weren't ALL bad! Thanks for listening; I know there are those on here that can really appreciate these, and similar memories. TJ (37 years in and counting!) <img src='http://www.firepics.net/groupboards/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='B)' />
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