TIMES change

Back in 1976 I became a member of the Fire Service. the units we had for apparatus looked pretty straight forward.

(sample photos only,we had older stuff.)

In 1977 I took my first ride into the City of New York as a Fire Buff. (Fire Department enthusiast), if you want to see how something works you go where they do a lot of it.

The apparatus from that City were familiar but highly modified. For instance, the cab was totally enclosed. The reasons for the apparatus differences was the racial unrest that rocked the country, especially the inner cities in the mid 60's through the early 70's. Firemen rode inside the cab, the windows often had screens over them to keep debris from being thrown through the glass. 

The hose bed had a cover over it, it protected the firemen from having things dropped on them from the roof tops while they were repacking the hose, things like full garbage cans. Across the tailstep was another steal roof to protect the guys back there. See the second photo below.

Ladder trucks had the same modifications, 

Notice what was referred to as the phone booth, 

 That glass booth was the home of the Can Man. The can Man (often the newest member of the Company), rode in that position by himself, at the arrival at the fire he would jump out and head for the fire room. He carried, among his other equipment, a 2 1/2 gallon pressurized water extinguisher. His job to to rescue people, check the fires extension, and he would enter the fire room pulling down curtains and other vertical flammable objects to keep the fire from spreading, if the room was too involved to enter he would crack the door open, aim the extinguisher towards the ceiling and discharge its contents into the room, then close the door, this allowed the steam to actually help knock down the fire. Thus by the time the hose line and engine company arrived the fire may be partially contained.

Later on this riding position was eliminated and all members rode together.

Today you find a large variety of fire apparatus are all closed cabs, not due to protection from the people but from the elements. A lot of the newer apparatus also sport an ac unit on the roof.

As for the roof over the rear step, this is no longer necessary because it has been deemed unsafe to ride the rear step and everyone rides inside.

As for myself, I have fond memories of riding that step, on arrival you simply stepped off the back dragging the hand line with you.

I won't go into how much I miss the mechanical Class Q siren instead of today's electronics sirens. The way the Q's and G's sounded as they echoed off the buildings....heaven.