I thought I would include a couple of photos from the archives. It has been awhile since I have visited this FD "behind the fence", but as far as I know, they are still running the same apparatus. Over the years they have brought their trucks up to the annual Apple Blossom Festival fireman's parade in Winchester.
The Conservation & Research Center FD of the National Zoological Park Smithsonian Institute runs a small fire brigade just outside of Front Royal, Virginia. This center is a bit unique in that it breeds exotic and endangared animals and does extensive zoological research. It was once an Army remount station where horses were kept, then a beef cattle research center of the USDA, and then the Smithsonian took over operations at the facility as part o their extension of the Washington zoo. The 3,000 acres has barns, feeding stations, dormitories, laboratories, offices, veterinary hospital, and over 40 miles of chainlink fence. The center also grows enough hay and alfalfa to feed the zoo's animals at both Front Royal and the Washington zoo.
The fire brigade was formed in 1976 after a large field fire. Two trucks are manned by the employees of the Conservation and Research Center.
Engine 71
"Big Bucket"
1970 Reo M45 2 1/2 ton 6x6
750/1000
ex- Ft. Meade, MD
Mike Sanders
Ashburn, VA
The Conservation & Research Center FD of the National Zoological Park Smithsonian Institute runs a small fire brigade just outside of Front Royal, Virginia. This center is a bit unique in that it breeds exotic and endangared animals and does extensive zoological research. It was once an Army remount station where horses were kept, then a beef cattle research center of the USDA, and then the Smithsonian took over operations at the facility as part o their extension of the Washington zoo. The 3,000 acres has barns, feeding stations, dormitories, laboratories, offices, veterinary hospital, and over 40 miles of chainlink fence. The center also grows enough hay and alfalfa to feed the zoo's animals at both Front Royal and the Washington zoo.
The fire brigade was formed in 1976 after a large field fire. Two trucks are manned by the employees of the Conservation and Research Center.
Engine 71
"Big Bucket"
1970 Reo M45 2 1/2 ton 6x6
750/1000
ex- Ft. Meade, MD
Mike Sanders
Ashburn, VA
Mike Sanders
Winchester, VA
Winchester, VA
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