The video provides a sequence of pictures taken during an unusual gathering of historical fire apparatus that were once operated (and are still owned) by a number of Volunteer FDs in Northern Portugal. The 2010 exhibition was hosted by the VolFD of Famalicão and shows an assortment of rigs dating mostly from the 1930 to 1950 period. Back then it was usual for the frequently under-financed local volunteers to buy a plain chassis (often in 2nd hand…) and to have it tailor-made to their needs, either by a local body manufacturer/car repair shop or by its own members, at the fire-house maintenance shop and therefore not two rigs are identical. Besides the more classic old-time open cabin pumpers (with benches or individual chairs for the crew and carrying no water) pics of ambulances, utility vehicles and more recent rigs (including a few imported from the US) can also be seen. Ladder trucks were not operated except in the larger cities (Lisbon, Oporto and very few other) where one FD at least (owned, financed and managed by the Municipal Council) was manned by professional firefighters, using state-of-art equipment.

(Author/Posted by: Manuel A.A. Fernandes)