Thanks to The Commish posting of Joel Wood's image of a DCFD Bruco squad wagon, it got me reminiscing. These were the only apparatus to have a PA system. More than once some evil prankster would chance by a squad's opened door on the fireground, key the microphone, and broadcast "Headquarters to Engine 9". The officer from Engine 9 would thing he's hearing a message on an apparatus radio (commonly left on Channel 1), switch his portable to Channel 1 and answer up. In this early 1980's photo, reserve S-604 is swapped for S-605 at Engine 9’s quarters, 1617 U St. NW. The rigs are 1966 and 1967 Ford N850/ Brucos. S-604 was the original apparatus of RS-4, organized in 1976. The 4 is visible between the hood and the door.
Kevin Byrne