Understanding that we all have Sony camera's or something that can record a short mpeg... anyone out there with a "real firehouse fire pole", especially a station with a 40-foot pole... could video their experience of using one of these? From the sounds of the replies on this post, it sure looks like firepoles will slowly continue to disappear. Documenting the experience will be the closest most of us will ever come to a firepole. 


CBz

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I'm happy to say I had the pleasure and experience to have used the poles in two of the stations I have worked in over my career. Sadly the one I am at now, and will remain in is a single-story station...alas, no pole. :(

I find the arguments against them to be garbage, especially with the insurance companies. Of course over the years with what, thousands of fire stations, hundreds of thousands of firefighters, and millions of responses that you can expect injuries. I'd bet there have been some falls from stairs, too.

One well-known local South Jersey Chief (since retired) was told "no pole" by the insurance company when building the new, couple million dollar station. He said no problem...show me what statistics you have on poles, and on stairs, and we'll talk. They couldn't.

Granted it is a long slide too. But it's about as safe guarded as you could possibly be. I had worked in an airport FD and that slide was all of 35-40 feet too.

No more poles...to dangerous. No more bells...too loud. No more red suspenders...well, they didn't take THAT one away yet.

As for the bunker pants in the station, and "blah, blah, blah"...I guess some of us are gonna get a summons by the safety popo as well. Unless they are soaked and sooted (before being washed, and then we'll use our spare stuff), they go by the bed at night.
I have never used one. I missed the opportunity by a few years when I got hired full-time. I was told the old station had them. Can't say that I am dissapionted either, from what I understand, Tuesday was the day the probie had to polish all the brass in the house. Most of the seasoned guys say they enjoyed them, and so did the kids that would come by on field trips. Some even say that this one one tradition that should have carried over to the new house.
I have seen where some stations have had slides put in to replace poles. If I remember there was a discussion on here about it with a photo of the slide.
The neighboring station to my vollie house back home has a pole I got to use 10 to 15 years ago. I'm an air force firefighter now and the 3 bases I've been to all single story houses. I have to stir the pot now Capt at first I thought a jr started this thread.
We still have them at HQ but they are working on bringing the sleeping quarters downstairs and put offices upstairs.
Note: I just updated this post asking if anyone that works at a fire station with a fire pole can videotape using one... anyone? CBz


Got detailed to the big house and snaped a pic just for you ct busy
I found a add by McIntire Brass Works which sells poles and all the safety equipment that go with them
www.slidepole.com
looks like my jeep lol that is really coolr i wish we had one
haha there would be alot of people on our dept. skinny because they wouldnt be eating
captain Busy i'll be at HQ tomorrow if i can locate my camara tonight i will get a shot of a pole in use for you although ours are only around 20 feet.
To be honest CBz I thought this would be a slam dunk but I guess the poles disappeared faster than I thought. Maybe we can find a station where they still feed the horses more easily.

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