The Fill Line

May 2014

A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons / Connect at labwdp@academicplanet.com

While out Scoot-a-Pootin near and far. What could you get with $2400 in 1964? It bought you a new Ford
Mustang, but in 2014, maybe one complete set of turnout?
Fire buffs are great observers of our actions and they will tell you that big cities have big fires. It has been
noted that Philadelphia uses the big guns, or multiple deluge sets, while New York City uses their tower ladders
to their advantage. If one observes Boston, the stick or aerial ladder is prominent with numerous ground ladders
in place. What observations would your department give? John Sees has been made to think his eyes were
playing tricks on him at one fire he observed.
Midlothian Texas has another Pierce on order for their aerial device. Ken Isom reports that the Ovilla voter
receiver for the Fire Repeater is now up and operational so departments near there should be seeing an
improvement in radio coverage. This means 3 of the 4 receiver voting sites (Bristol, Milford, and now Ovilla)
are working but Maypearl is still not ready yet. we will advise when we get all four systems up.
Make-a-wish foundation made an 8-year olds (with a life threatening condition) wish to be a firefighter for a
day was made possible when they hooked up with Frisco TX. He will had firefighter apparel, ate with the duty
crew at central station as well as responded to a couple of created responses with his participation. The day
ended with a recognition ceremony at Frisco Fire safety Town Hall.
Chrissy Rogalski notes that the North Texas district of SFFMA has her as stepping up to president and Kenny
Ray is now 1st VP by default. The original 1st VP stepped down. Also Wayland Price - Chief of Whitney VFD
is this year's North Texas FF of the year for 2014. Good going folks!
Red Oak TX, just took delivery of their first Spartan ERV 103' rear mount quint. This unit features Spartan
ERV's aluminum body with smart storage, 103' greaseless steel ladder with Roll Assisted slide pads (requires no
greasing yet), cab and body avoidance, Waterous 2250 gpm pump, 400 gallon water tank, Harrison 10kw
generator, Whelen Pioneer LED scene lighting and Whelen LED M series warning lights all on a Spartan
Gladiator chassis. Metro's make ready shop mounted the departments equipment and radios prior to delivery.

Thanks to Metro Fire Apparatus Specialists, www.benswarecom, and Dallas/Fort Worth area fire equipment news for sharing this info.

After consideration of finances at Central High, a new brush truck will replace 1406 in the near future. 1406
is experiencing motor challenges and the time is right for replacement. Thats all for now, well see you out
while scoot-a-pootin. Just do the important stuff.
The answer for: April. The 2011 Kassbohrer Gelandefarzeugal Piston Bully 100, or snow cat, has a seasonal
assignment to DIA station #31. It is a bulldozer looking rig (with personnel box) that provides access to aircraft as
well as personnel movement in snowy conditions. A photo is seen in the March/April 2014 Fire apparatus Journal
(see page 30).

Question of the month: May In 1969 Pierce Manufacturing introduced a line of commercial chassis
pumpers known as a Suburban. They had a 1000 GPM pump and a 750-gallon tank. What was added to
the pump panel that became a Pierce trademark?
Pg 1 of 2

The Firehouse kitchen. Dink was on a Kelly when she came to the fire station looking for him. She arrived
on a rather large motorcycle for a girl observed Stan Merts who reported this activity to Lt. Hart who was in
the firehouse kitchen. Stan described her with pink hair, numerous tattoos and a rather tight pair of jeans. Stan
had thought her lost (why else would a girl on a motorcycle come to a fire station he thought), but was taken
back when she asked for Dink. Stan told her Dink would be back Saturday and she rode off declining Stan's
invite to look at a real mean lime green fire-fighting machine. Oh yea, and something about being from the
Lightning motorcycle place, remembers Stan. The Loo remembers the motorcycle open house, and seemed to
remember a sales girl with pink hair, but surely couldnt figure why she would want to see Dink.
Saturday arrives with a slight rain and Dinks mother drops him off at the overhead door, reminding him to get
the fresh linens and uniform that she had packed in his oversized night bag. Soon after is shift change as Lt.
Hart remembers to tell Dink of his motorcycle salesuh, person visitor is to be here today. Everyone figures
Dink is buying a motorcycle, and moves to the next subject. Dink doesnt have a clue.
It was just after lunch when she arrived at the station. Of all people, Curbs meets her at the overhead door and
asks if she is lost. No, Im here to see Firefighter Fedderson, as Curbs attempts to pull in his gut. Captain Snut
is next in line to meet her, and says, Oh youre looking for Dink. She throws back her hair, Absolutely, uh
like why do you call him that? The good Captain smiles, but before he can reply, Dink appears at the hallway
from the kitchen. Dink swallows hard, and stutters, Uh, Omigosh, uhhh, hi there, uhhh are you uhhh here to
see uhhh me?
The pink haired lady replies as the others stand quietly in disbelief. Absolutely, like I wondered where you
went with the Super Lightning bike and didnt return. I totally got off work before you returned and I like
wanted to absolutely know who you were, and get to know you better. My manager told me about you and your
excitement with the fuzz and how that turned out, but I like picked up your name when the cops brought the
bike back. Like ah, Oh mi-god what a totally awesome experience. Anyway, I like tracked you down through
my uncle who is a fireman downtown, a chief guy. He has a motorcycle too. My name is Makayla Burns, but
just call me Mac, all the other riders do. I just like absolutely love real firefighters, guess it started with my
uncle Bernie you know. Like wow, isnt he just absolutely like the greatest? By now all of the gang are at full
attention when Mac asks to see the lime green pumper. Oh like totally isnt that fire engine an awesomely cool
color? asks Mac as the gang nudges Dink toward the engine. Uh, yea, uh absolutelyur-ahhh omigosh
totally cool, Dink then quietly grunts out the fact he doesnt have a motorcycle, but maybe she could help him
find one where she works. Oh, like you are absolutely the sweetest, and I will totally get you an awesome
deal, then we can hook up and do some riding together. Dinks heart begins to race as he wonders how to
introduce Makayla to his mother.
Meanwhile, the rest of the gang is glued in placejust staring.
Have your copy yet? You can place orders The Firehouse Kitchen at 1-800-834-1803, or go on line at
bookorders@rosedogbooks.com. They are also available at Rose Dogs Yahoo! Store at the following;
www.rosedogbookstore.com the book is also available at Amazon.com. Thank you for checking it out.
Prayer portion. Hope you remembered resurrection day last month. It was the ultimate sacrifice (of Jesus
Christ), a term used in the fire fraternity quite often. But more for one, He sacrificed so we can live since we are
all dead in sin. He rose, to return to Heaven and is sitting on the throne, but is to return to get his people at a time
unknown to man. Are you ready for Him? We offer prayer for the upcoming events, and give thanks to God for
His will and the eventual results for situations at hand, and much beyond our control. Ask Jesus first and expect.
That may just be the ultimate challenge.
Connect with me Thomas J. Parsons at phone: 972-878-0562, or e-mail me at: labwdp@academicplanet.com

Remember! Dont leave the station with out your FILL LINE!
Page 2 of 2