I will wrap up this Virginia trip with one of the most unusual trucks I have photographed. Have I mentioned that I really love visiting southwest Virginia departments?
Let me set the stage on this....
After visiting Russell Prater and getting back on the road for several hours, I managed to make my way back to Interstate 77 so that I could begin my trip back north.
I77 has two tunnels. The "East River Mountain Tunnel" was completed in 1974 and is the border line between West Virginia and Virginia. After going through this tunnel and traveling about 10 miles, you come to the "Big Walker Mountain Tunnel". This area is Bland County, Virginia. One of Bland's claim to fame is that it is the only county in the United States that is entered and exited via an Interstate Tunnel. Their slogan is "Light at the end of the tunnel".
When heading south on I77 and just prior to entering the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel, there is an exit for Bland. I have never been to Bland before but I recalled reading about a Bland County FD that had received an unusual fire truck.
It was starting to get to mid afternoon, and with daylight savings time, the sun was starting to get pretty low. It was a good place to gas up and get a bite to eat, and find the FD. Priorities first - the fire station. I found the FD but it was locked up tight and I could not see inside the station. I have mentioned several times that one of the best places to find a FD contact is at a local garage. In this case, not far down the street was an auto parts store. I asked a guy about finding a member of the fire department, and he just happened to be a member. How about that?
It was funny because he asked me if I was here to see "24". I told him I was not sure, but it sounded interesting. He told me I would not be disappointed. The only problem was finding a driver. After several phone contacts he made, I was told a driver would be here in about 30 minutes. Not good news with the sun setting.
The driver arrived and the first thing he told me was that I would not be disappointed in "24". I was not. This was one of the tallest trucks I have seen and photographed.
The fire department obtained this truck for two primary reasons - the tunnels and the amount of wooded area. Bland County's total area is 78% wooded, and 32% of the mountain portions are in the Jefferson National Forest. Between the tunnels and the woods, the FD has some unique challenges.
As a result, the FD purchased this truck through a federal grant. It is designed to fight fire's in both the tunnels and the mountains.
When I asked what the radio designation was of this truck, the FD has none. Everything goes by just the unit number. Now I knew why folks were referring to this as "24"
Bland, Virginia
Bland County
"24"
2005 Oshkosh/Pierce Hawk Extreme
500/2500/50
Height - 10", 2"
Length - 34', 1"
Weight - 56,000
pump controls are located on the officers side as well as from the cab
note front bumper gun
Mike Sanders
Ashburn, VA
Let me set the stage on this....
After visiting Russell Prater and getting back on the road for several hours, I managed to make my way back to Interstate 77 so that I could begin my trip back north.
I77 has two tunnels. The "East River Mountain Tunnel" was completed in 1974 and is the border line between West Virginia and Virginia. After going through this tunnel and traveling about 10 miles, you come to the "Big Walker Mountain Tunnel". This area is Bland County, Virginia. One of Bland's claim to fame is that it is the only county in the United States that is entered and exited via an Interstate Tunnel. Their slogan is "Light at the end of the tunnel".
When heading south on I77 and just prior to entering the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel, there is an exit for Bland. I have never been to Bland before but I recalled reading about a Bland County FD that had received an unusual fire truck.
It was starting to get to mid afternoon, and with daylight savings time, the sun was starting to get pretty low. It was a good place to gas up and get a bite to eat, and find the FD. Priorities first - the fire station. I found the FD but it was locked up tight and I could not see inside the station. I have mentioned several times that one of the best places to find a FD contact is at a local garage. In this case, not far down the street was an auto parts store. I asked a guy about finding a member of the fire department, and he just happened to be a member. How about that?
It was funny because he asked me if I was here to see "24". I told him I was not sure, but it sounded interesting. He told me I would not be disappointed. The only problem was finding a driver. After several phone contacts he made, I was told a driver would be here in about 30 minutes. Not good news with the sun setting.
The driver arrived and the first thing he told me was that I would not be disappointed in "24". I was not. This was one of the tallest trucks I have seen and photographed.
The fire department obtained this truck for two primary reasons - the tunnels and the amount of wooded area. Bland County's total area is 78% wooded, and 32% of the mountain portions are in the Jefferson National Forest. Between the tunnels and the woods, the FD has some unique challenges.
As a result, the FD purchased this truck through a federal grant. It is designed to fight fire's in both the tunnels and the mountains.
When I asked what the radio designation was of this truck, the FD has none. Everything goes by just the unit number. Now I knew why folks were referring to this as "24"
Bland, Virginia
Bland County
"24"
2005 Oshkosh/Pierce Hawk Extreme
500/2500/50
Height - 10", 2"
Length - 34', 1"
Weight - 56,000
pump controls are located on the officers side as well as from the cab
note front bumper gun
Mike Sanders
Ashburn, VA
Mike Sanders
Winchester, VA
Winchester, VA
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