St. Louis Metro

[MFD76]

[quote name='JM82' timestamp='1298311744' post='426435']

I agree 100% about the gold leaf lettering. I realize we're talking about working fire trucks and not "parade rigs" (as Neil referred to Lemay's new Smeal pumper as not being a parade rig. Hence the reason for no goldleaf on 1614), but the gold leaf looks so much better than the white reflective lettering. And I know it comes down to money, but the added spark to the rigs would make them stand out. Same with the new StLFD ambulances.(Got to see some StLFD rigs yesterday afternoon at the house fire at Blendon & Bruno Avenues. Spectacular fire! Best one I've been on in quite awhile!).



It's amazing what a little bit of gold leaf can do! Lemay's new pumper would look 100% better with gold leaf lettering as well. On the other hand, depending upon the graphics package a department chooses, no gold leaf is necessary; like Kirkwood, who's blue/white graphics/striping looks really cool, at least to me.



And as far as Pattonville's and West County's Braun/Spartan ambulances, believe me, there's plenty of exterior compartment space for those SCBAs. We have a compartment on 1817 for 2 SCBAs plus 2 spare bottles and a few tools and there's still PLENTY of compartment space all around for other EMS equipment.

[/quote]



Funny thing is gold leaf now days is the same price at Scotch Light. At least with our new Pierce it is that way.



StLFD like KCFD traditionally had solid RED rigs. I was very disappointed in 1990 when KCFD went white over red instead of solid red. I was super happy they dropped the nasty white over lime green. But the 1972 ALF's were last rigs delivered Solid Red so in my mind in 1990 the repainted rigs should have been solid red. In 2005 they returned to solid red, I like it much better. We made the choice on our new Engine at MFD to return to our tradition of solid red from white over red. We even got our MARS light back.



Rick