Back in the Day

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Where can share and talk about what it was like like when we first came on to the Job or Service

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Latest Activity: Dec 6, 2018

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Firefighter Forum, Rescue & EMS Discussion

Who rode the tailboard?

Started by Chris Weber. Last reply by SMOKEnPipesJim Jun 27, 2016. 28 Replies 3 Likes

Who all rode the tailboard?

Howe Fire Apparatus

Started by Chris Weber. Last reply by Rob Wesley Sep 12, 2014. 8 Replies 2 Likes

How many of us had/have Howe apparatus?We still have our first new truck,a 1964 IH Howe heavy 1 ton,that is currently our brush truck.

Navy nozzles

Started by Chris Weber. Last reply by SMOKEnPipesJim Mar 15, 2014. 12 Replies 0 Likes

Anybody else remember using navy nozzles w/applicator pipes?We still have one on our brush unit.

"Keeping Tradition Alive" Pride in ownership, and other fancy College terms

Started by SMOKEnPipesJim Jan 25, 2013. 0 Replies 0 Likes

The Yellow Oak was hose bed from Engine 4 in the house all the tools Came from Truck 3 which was Closed in 1995 the Company was…Continue

rules n regs circa 1907

Started by SMOKEnPipesJim. Last reply by SMOKEnPipesJim Jan 25, 2013. 10 Replies 0 Likes

Heres a couple of Pages from The Rules & Regulations as set forth BY The Board of Fire Commisioners City Of Bridgeport Connecticut

Jet Axe

Started by Russ. Last reply by Timothy John Dodson Jan 24, 2013. 1 Reply 0 Likes

Anybody rememeber the jet axe?...(and do you still have it?)...."and do the feds know-LOL"did you use it?i saw the episode of emergency when they used it on a ferry fire- cool to see it after all these yearsContinue

nice to see that somebody remembers the old days

Started by Russ. Last reply by larry cooke Jun 25, 2012. 3 Replies 0 Likes

I first got into the fire service on long island in 1979. i was hired as a full time dispatcher by my volunteer department-(good because i had a job-bad because i missed some calls). we had a trunking telephone system between our 5 firehouses and if…Continue

John Bean High pressure pumps

Started by Chris Weber. Last reply by Russ Jan 12, 2012. 4 Replies 0 Likes

Who had the John Bean high pressure units?We had an FMC Ford pumper but it wasn't a John Bean.Would like to hear any opinions.

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Comment by Bob Allard on March 4, 2011 at 3:00pm: TKS for the invite

Comment by J.C. LANFORD on March 4, 2011 at 2:33pm: I understand, my dad had two heart attacks while on duty and had to take a disability retirement. Only took 23 years of his life to make him an old man.

Comment by Bill McMaster on March 4, 2011 at 2:25pm: JC must have been on our department...LOL
When I got on in 1982 my dad was fire chief. I had long coat, Boots to my crotch, helmet and what gloves you could scrounge.
One airpack in the truck for extreme cases, and my dad being skinny, used it once that I remember.
I was handed a hose at fires, and did what I was told to do. That was the training other than when we had fire practice once in a while.
Times have really changed
Dad died of COPD and many of the old guys on the departments in the area have died of cancer or repiratory problems.

Comment by J.C. LANFORD on March 4, 2011 at 2:06pm: Should tried to get one off when the clip had melted.

Comment by David Earl Gregory on March 4, 2011 at 2:06pm: Back in the day huh? Well, when I was 5 I had my first ride in the front seat of an open cab FWD back to the station after a grass fire run. Cold, misting rain, wouldn't have missed it for the world. Second ride, a few weeks later, was on the tailboard reaching as high as I could hooking my fingers into a fold of 2 1/2 with two of the biggest men I'd ever seen helping me hang on.

Many years later, 1977, I started my first volunteer gig. Day boots, long coats, and I bought my first Cairns leather. When I went paid, we had ALF Pioneer canopy cabs and they wouldn't let us ride tailboard anymore. What a rip off. I remember MSA air packs in the case in the tailboard compartments and Scotts mounted in the jump seats at my paid department. Even though it was "against the rules" I never gave up my volunteer position at my first dept. and eventually went paid there. Worst career move I ever made was getting out of the FD.

Comment by Tom Williams on March 4, 2011 at 2:02pm: I'll Jump in, did have pants, boots & jacket. Pants had the snap buttons and the jacket had the buttons and the clamps that snapped onto the "D" rings. Were a pain in the winter when the froze together!

Comment by J.C. LANFORD on March 4, 2011 at 1:45pm: 1980, rode out in a 1950's Seagraves for multi alarm. Still had bell on front bumper. Was in November and one of the coldest rides I have made.

Comment by J.C. LANFORD on March 4, 2011 at 1:40pm: any one else ride a completely open cab truck?

Comment by J.C. LANFORD on March 4, 2011 at 1:38pm: Ok, who is going to be the first to tell just how old we are? First set of turnout gear was long bunkder coat with 3/4 boots. Airpack was in a case in the side compartment and only used for rescue.

Next?

Comment by Firewriter on March 4, 2011 at 1:36pm: Now THIS should be good!!! Though we may have to muzzle Ralph! LOL!! Will have to come back with my tales later; off to flood meeting! Yippee!!!