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tales from a tailboard firefighter
Over the last 150 years or so or job has had 5 major changes. The first was when we went from hand pumpers to steam. This required horse power to pull the rigs. The next was when we lost the horses and about the same time lost the steamers and went to gas powered rigs and mechanical pumps. When I came on the job in 1973 in San Jose California we still had WW11 surplus rigs, open cabs, and 10 foot long engine compartments that required you to start your turns 20 feet before the corners. This was also before auto tranmissions and power steering.
Riding the Tailboard went about 1980. The end of that era left with no recognition of that classic part of being a fireman disappearing into history. The forth change was EMS. When 911 replaced the family doctor the job changed forever. The last was when women came on the job and it stopped being a boys club.
Being around for the last three changes gave me a chance to see it as it was and as it is now. More stories of life in the old days to follow.
Riding the Tailboard went about 1980. The end of that era left with no recognition of that classic part of being a fireman disappearing into history. The forth change was EMS. When 911 replaced the family doctor the job changed forever. The last was when women came on the job and it stopped being a boys club.
Being around for the last three changes gave me a chance to see it as it was and as it is now. More stories of life in the old days to follow.
Add a Comment
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Comment by Joe Stoltz on December 9, 2009 at 8:45pm
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Speaking of the hip boots - back then we would take the liner out of the cotton duck bunker coats and pants for the summer. Nice, lightweight gear and we never worried about flashovers.
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Comment by Tom Wheland on December 9, 2009 at 6:03pm
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There are a ton of good memories from those days.
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Comment by Tony Leonard,Jr. on December 9, 2009 at 5:43pm
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My Dad is full of these stories,his favorite is eating a sandwich on the way to a call.As a little boy I remember wanting to ride on the Tailboard just like my Dad when I grew up.Heck STILL DO!
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Back then "brotherhood" was exemplified when the other tailboard riders locked arms around you so you could let go and put your coat and gloves on en route.
On most trucks there was a button in back that you were supposed to use to signal the driver; I forgot about yelling through the hard suction which of course we did too.
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Comment by Oldman on December 8, 2009 at 8:43am
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Yup, back then riding tailboard, no SCBA, bunker coat and hip boots = real "fireman"
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I remember getting dressed on top of the hose bed while enroute and in the winter you would do it under the hose bed canvas. Back then while riding the tail board you would communicate up front by yelling through the hard suction on the side of the rig lol.
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