[quote name='GA_Dave' timestamp='1340725699' post='490277']
I really didn't find the situation all that surprising. I've run into it many times before. These are 30+ year old apparatus. The Volunteer Fire Service is much different down here, compared to most of the Northeast. Fire Departments up there are social centers for many communities. Down here, they are step-children, red-headed ones at that! They are deemed a necessary evil, but receive no more than "table scaps" at budget time. Fund raising activities are almost non-existant here, not for lack of trying, but for lack of support. Membership is low, just a handful of very dedicated folks in each community. Most apparatus are old and were donated or purchased second or third hand. Typically, Alapaha only runs four rigs anyway, the others are just sitting there. The last new pumper Alapaha bought is a 1971 Ford F-750/ALF, which was also dead, sitting next to the Ford/Cherefko!
[/quote]
Agreed, I noticed it alot in the rural central Florida area during my travels there. Referring to "dead" apparatus behind a station, a Chief called them "precious metals" and he couldn't bear to part with them!
I really didn't find the situation all that surprising. I've run into it many times before. These are 30+ year old apparatus. The Volunteer Fire Service is much different down here, compared to most of the Northeast. Fire Departments up there are social centers for many communities. Down here, they are step-children, red-headed ones at that! They are deemed a necessary evil, but receive no more than "table scaps" at budget time. Fund raising activities are almost non-existant here, not for lack of trying, but for lack of support. Membership is low, just a handful of very dedicated folks in each community. Most apparatus are old and were donated or purchased second or third hand. Typically, Alapaha only runs four rigs anyway, the others are just sitting there. The last new pumper Alapaha bought is a 1971 Ford F-750/ALF, which was also dead, sitting next to the Ford/Cherefko!
[/quote]
Agreed, I noticed it alot in the rural central Florida area during my travels there. Referring to "dead" apparatus behind a station, a Chief called them "precious metals" and he couldn't bear to part with them!
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