The Fill Line

June 2013

A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons

While out scoot-a-pootin. I want to thank all of you that expressed concern and support during my time in
Ohio. During this time, the West Texas incident occurred. That experience should make us more aware of the
unknown and the considerations that a certain something can happen. I see Richardson TX started a $450K
emergency driver simulator training experience. FEMA and matching city funds initiated this activity. Does
anyone know more of the program? And, how about Rockwall station #4 earning LEED certification. The
station is at 1500 Apollo Rd, houses an engine, heavy rescue, and ambulance. The title is given to projects that
meet standards and qualifications set by the US green building council. Oh and by the way Van Fowler, the
Bulldog arrived the Saturday after the quarterly association meeting.
Ellis County (TX) Communications Supervisors Carla Rolland and Becky Rodgers attended a training
seminar designed for 911 emergency center managers. The class was directed at missing and exploited children.
While scoot-a-pootin in Mentor Ohio, I saw some current and retired Mentor-Fire members. Rollin Scott
advised me that he was trying to help any department with limited resources and offered to barter away a single
line deluge set with an adjustable nozzle tip. The unit is an Akron Brass set with automatic swivel tip, a good
option for limited personnel at an operation. You can contact Rollin Scott at lunaqueen1@aol.com for further
info. Carl Lewis has his garden space combat ready for the deer and other varmints that may invade his space.
Finally, Ernie Johnson gave me a call. He was a fellow junior level member, back in the day and tells
everyone I left for the military and never came back. Ernie is currently involved with the Mentor Firefighters
Museum located at the old Jackson Street station. The Mentor Fire Museum is locally well known with practical
experiences for local school children, as well as a Phillip the fire truck, a pumper truck with unique features
for teaching fire education. Check them out www.angelfire.com/oh5/mentorfiremuseum, or call 440-974-5796.
Meanwhile, I made contact with Lt. Robert Gandee of the training division. He was most cordial with a
moment during his busy schedule. I met FF Wade Stitt at station #4 who gave a grand tour of engine and squad
four. When I suggested he become an instructor, he surprised me when he said he was age 21 and needed more
experience. I only mention this, as when asked, he didnt have a clue on certain Ward LaFrance fire engines that
were once in the city. After I did some math, those fire engines were about 25 years old when he was born. Oh!
Bottom line, write stuff down and take pictures for historical reasons and share with others.
Sadly, I note the passing of Captain Bud Jepson of station #1. Bud was a long time member of Mentor-Fire,
starting at the Jackson St station in 1954. His father was the village department chief before the city appointed
Al Howells as fulltime chief in 1965 (when the village and township combined to become a city).
The Ellis County Firefighters Assn. met in Ennis. Charles Newman and I went from Central High. Thanks to
Ennis for hosting the event. Business was light with general information available. Chris Young gave an
informative overview of SCBA being 2013 compliant, and how an alarm will sound with 1/3 air remaining, a
universal PASS device, and a face piece that will hold its integrity with super heated environments. Chief
Aycock represented the ECCA, and was emphatic on training with both career and volunteer departments. The
ECCA will meet on June 18th, and representation is expected with a chief or a representative. There was mention
of a county fire school, and more emphasis on two station responses on structural calls. A positive direction is
underway for the Ellis County fire services. Telico will host the next event, TBA.
I was driving through the city of Garrett, thought I had seen one of the doors up at the firehouse. I did catch
up with Police Chief Bill Turnage and had a good chat about the storm damage in Ennis and Gary Witherspoon.
Yea Gary, you just never know who is talking about you. Bill sends his best, and reported that you are busy
fishing and watching TV, or maybe that is what I got out of the conversation, ha!
Finally, Fire Apparatus Journal May/June issue gave a positive review of The Firehouse Kitchen. If you dont
have a copy, order today from my publisher: www.rosedogbookstore.com or call 1-800-834-1803. The book is
also available from Amazon books. Rick, did you noticed the W. Milwaukee version of an open cab H&L rig in
this issue? Their cold days apparently really had effect on its specifications.
Keep the hoses dry and well see you out while scoot-a-pootin. Connect with me at phone: 972-878-0562, or
e-mail: labwdp@academicplanet.com
Please share the Fill line to others who may be interested in this bunch of good information! Thanks!
Pg 1 of 2

Question of the Month: June It was a station of first in the city, such as having the first fold down beds,
hose drying room, and a drive through apparatus room. They would also test task force tips, large diameter
hose, and a hose sled. The current firehouse replaced a building that was rumored to have the ghost of a
battalion chief who died in an accident between his car and an engine when responding to a call. What is the
city, and number of this firehouse?
The answer for: May The "Toyopet" Crowns were ordered by Los Angeles County CA. The knick name
came about when a not so fondly remembered LA/Co chief specified and ordered some Crown fire engines
with anemic 478 cid Waukesha engines back in the 60's, in an attempt to get more fire trucks at the same
budget allocation. About the same time enter the Toyopet Crown, the first Toyota car to be sold in the United
States. The (USA) Toyota Motor Sales began operations in October of 1957, in Hollywood California. Only
287 Crowns sold the first year. The car was a total failure for the American market. It's not that the Toyopet
Crown was a bad car, it's just it wasn't for America. The car was made for Japanese roads and driving
conditions. It weighed almost 3000 pounds, but only had a 58hp motor. That was fine for getting around the
rough roads of Japan at low speeds back then, but for American driving it was definitely underpowered.

The Firehouse kitchen. (Continued) Books walks to the little chiefs car and taps on the window, Better get
used to parking out here as Lt. Hart has some big ideas inside. The little chief normally sees Books and his
veins begin their expansion, but when the rain comes down with vengeance nearly soaking him before he makes
it to the door, Chief Burns is really wound up. Books opens the passage door and points to the blue chalk lines.
Unknown to the others, Books has expanded the outline of the office out some so no car will fit; even a short
car like the short chief drives. The dripping little chief proceeds to the firehouse kitchen and asks Captain Snut
about the office idea. Oh, uh, think it may be a good idea chief, cuts the distance you know, uh, know what I
mean? stammers the Captain. Both Reach and Curbs are thinking this is a real stupid idea, while to everyones
surprise, Books invites Chief Burns to lunch, and mentions he has little chocolate cakes in his locker to further
entice the little chief to stay. Reach has a pork roast and reluctantly begins to figure how thin he can cut the
slices, while Dink arranges the chairs at the table. Other things come to mind, like another place on the coat
rack for the chiefs jacket and cap, and would they have to get another recliner, but how would that fit? Oh and
yes, the bathroom, the crew has things worked out so each can have quality time with just the one commode.
Things would be certainly different with a chief officer in the house, let alone another body, even a short one.
Emotions come to life as Curbs grunts out aloud about if there is an office for management, there should be a
room for union representation, and Books mentions the parking of the chief car outside as a security issue with
a suggestion of the local gang that sabotages only red cars in the neighborhood. Reach has the issue of money
for meal planning with the high cost of food, and how much extra it would cost to feed visiting officials that
would unexpectedly visit the chief. Captain Snut asks about having to wear class As all the time. In Dinks little
world, he fantasizes being the chiefs aid bringing him egg sandwiches and keeping the office clean, but mere
Omigosh, uhhh, Omigosh is the only thing that escapes his mouth.
But it is the chief that brings the house of cards down. Now duncha boys worry about Hart, gal dang it all, he
just has too much time to think, and I just let him. But, as long as theres an open bay, I want a place to park
inside from the elements, so just leave the blue lines alone for now. This house is a good place for a spare rig
and there may be a squad here someday and that bay needs to remain open, just in case, says Chief Burns. As
things go, Chief Burns has a meeting uptown, so he declines lunch, much to the relief of the members. He will
stay long enough for an egg sandwich and Curbs pours the coffee, giving chief the first cup off the pot. Some
how it just felt right. Chief Burns tries to reach the cup set just out of his limited arms length by Reach, and the
short chair doesnt help things. The gang quietly snickers at that and they somehow think the day may be started
in the right direction after all.
The chocolate cakes will be an investment for another day.

Prayer portion. With the West Texas event freshly in our minds, the fact of the unknown consumes our
thoughts. The known truth is the fact of the Great I Am, always in control, is ready for the next alarm. We offer
prayer for those injured in the events that dont make the big press, and for His touch in the activities that call
for our response to our communities. May God bless you today!

Remember! Dont leave the station with out your FILL LINE!

Pg 2 of 2