The Tokyo Fire Department

[firesafe91]

Arigato gozaimasu for posting these photos. I lived in Asahikawa, Japan on the island of Hokkaido during 1984-85 as a high school exchange student. I also periodically travel to Japan for business. 

 

The Japanese fire service is very interesting. At the time I lived in Japan the fire service had a very intense focus on fire prevention. I'm sure that this is still the case today. I remember watching a fire in my neighborhood. One of the responding units was a car with a loudspeaker that was broadcasting fire prevention messages to the crowds assembled to watch the fire. I'm sure it was very embarrassing for the occupants of the house.

 

I also remember one of the pumper crews deploying a hose cart off the back of the rig. The cart contained several hundred feet of 2.5" equivalent supply line, a couple of 1.5" equivalent hose bundles and assorted nozzles and hand tools. The pumper positioned at a hydrant while the cart was wheeled to the fire laying a supply line from the truck to the fire. Once they got to the fire; they broke the line; installed a wye; and attached a bundle. Pretty neat tactics for the many alleys and narrow passages where a fire truck couldn't maneuver.