Good evening, 19 and clear. Went out for a hair cut, topped for a bottle of brandy, then wandered around the mall. Not much else accomplished.
Curt: No, I didn't not know Bill had passed away. He had some interesting photos.
Chet and Garry: When that fire truck photo was taken, the pumper was still in service. The station had two fox front pumps, the 1938 in the photo, and a 1948. Both had chrome Roosters mounted atop the chrome globes on the pump. The one in the photo, incidentally, was wrecked in 1955 in a collision with another engine from another station. both were enroute to what turned out to be a false alarm. Three firefighters were killed, in the collision. Both the Fox, and the other pumper, a Mack were designed without side doors, in the space occupied by the Engineer, and the Officer, and the firefighters stood on the rear deck. After the incident, all new trucks were delivered with cab doors. later trucks were enclosed, and had seats for the entire crew, but that wasn't for another ten years. Fire Service was bound by tradition, restrained by cost and change came slowly.
Justin: If you have the space, expand beyond the scared 4x8. It's more fun, and you can be more creative. You have plenty of time to think it over, while you resolve your transportation issues.
