The Fill Line

May 2013

A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons

While out scoot-a-pootin. Talking about people, Greg LaMay of ETMC notes Alex I met is actually
Alex Jones who is also the Field Training Officer (FTO) with ETMC. Kevin Lucia is the new fire marshal
in Midlothian, after Tom Montgomery retired after a 36 year run with the department. Lloyd Higdon is
the fire chief in Palmer, a very busy department if you listen to the monitor any time.
I have heard of gasoline to burn out fire ants (no pun intended). Someone in Texarkana got the idea that
gasoline may be good to rid a snake from the yard. After the snake was set alight, it slithered into some
brush and grass setting fire to a house, which extended to the house next to it. Apparently fire damage
was great to both structures. There were no injuries to homeowner or emergency personnel; however
there were no reports of any animal activist taking the snake to a burn center.
Focus Red Oak. I attended the Red Oak fire station open house. I was impressed on the fact this was
their first attempt at such an endeavor, and how well it flowed. Each exhibit was spaced with ample room
for attendees as well as the apparatus was placed for good photo opportunities. My first interaction with
personnel was with A shifts Casey Greene a seven-year member. He showed me the new engine 181.
Inside I met up with Stephanie Welch, the ROFDs unofficial historian. I was impressed with her efforts
to maintain a scrapbook of the departments history. The vintage fire engines of the time were mostly
homebuilt with limited assistance from area companies. The first engine was a 1952 Ford, and the second
a 1968 Chevrolet. Numerous additions were noted, including a new station (the forerunner of the current
central station). Other articles included the major fire at the high school. Each page is covered to protect
the documents. Stephanie thought she had seen me before and we concluded it was in 2009 when I helped
in the kitchen preparing corn bread for the quarterly fire meeting held that night. Tim Birdwell was busy
recording the event on film (or digital images). I believe in recording history through the written word
(newspapers) and photos. You can never get enough pictures of posed apparatus and people in and around
the station. I met up with Chief Eric Thompson and we exchanged some ideas. Two of my special friends
are Lance and Jennifer Duran. Did you get enough photos Jennifer, and also that boy is growing! Ken
Isom was making the rounds, noting Chrissy Rogalski was busy at the work 20. Some displays included
Texas forestry, Desoto Fire Training Center, Navarro College Fire Academy, Baylor hospital, the PHI
medi-vac crew with one of the air ambulances, and a couple of others seen in passing. There were active
demonstrations with extrication and a high rescue operation with the EDUCT equipment. I would suggest
if your department or area wants to have an open house, check with the Red Oak group for pointers. This
was a very well thought out effort, good going Red Oak! This was a memorable event.
Hear along the way, Red Oak has some new acquisitions like, like a new air compressor unit (that fill
four SCBA bottles at a whack), and completed specs for a new 103 aerial/ 2250 GPM pump apparatus.
The builder for the aerial will be Spartan and will be set on an ERV chassis. The aerial truck is an
investment in the future with the ever expanding industrial base (as seen from the station) as well as
extended coverage for the multi family dwellings projected to be built within the city limits. The older air
compressor will go to station # 2 as a support unit, while the current 75 aerial truck was told to be sold,
but will remain active at RO until the new truck is delivered. I guess that will be my bad news report to
Central High Fire Chief Greg Sellers, as I really thought he had his eyes set on that quint. A side note,
FEMA grant money is being used for the compressor, through a grant written by RO member and Grant
Specialist Lance Wilkinson. Again, good job Red Oak!
I have accepted a June date to participate in the Mile High hook and Ladder annual muster in Littleton
Colorado. Kira OKeefe (club secretary) and husband Darren have his 'n her fire engines! The invite
includes riding either a vintage '51 Pirsch or a '64 Seagraves in the parade. Decisions! Decisions!
Meanwhile, keep the hoses dry and Ill hope to see you while scoot-a-pootin. To connect with me, phone:
972-878-0562, or e-mail: labwdp@academicplanet.com I need to hear from you so we can share the
happenings at your station with the rest of the country!
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Question of the Month: May These particular fire apparatus were known as the "Toyopet" Crowns. What
fire department ordered them and why? What was the story behind the knick name?
The answer for: April: Built in 1962, these three mini pumpers were built for the 1964-1965 New York
Worlds Fair by H&H Truck Tank Co on Jeep FC chassis. The colors blue and red were the official colors of
both the Worlds fair and the City of New York. Their service lasted only the two years for the fair. Despite the
intent of having them reassigned as FDNY Staten Island brush buggies, their owner, the Worlds Fair
Corporation just disposed them.
The Firehouse kitchen. The gang returned form their Kelly day, and Books is pulling out his uniform shirt
from the beneath several old American Fire Apparatus, three photo books, and an old nozzle from a muster.
Dink lets out an Aahhh, Omigosh. It seems Dink has found a new motorcycle and is in good spirits, though
it slips out that he may need help from his mother for a down payment. Captain Snut, and Reach are on the
apparatus floor standing on some blue chalk marks put on the floor by Lt. Hart. The Loo announces that he
has devised a way to provide a satellite office for Chief Burns. Apparently Lt. Hart figures a promotion may
be down the road, and figures the chief being closer can help him stay in sight. Stan Mertz was at the local
lumberyard and has taken Saturday courses on building walls and using sheetrock and plans to supervise the
in house building project. Stan also plans to position for the next MPO.
The briefing concludes with Dink being written up for out of uniform after having misplaced his tie. Books
remains quiet, and after the other shift leaves the building he goes off on Captain Snut. There is no way this
office will ever happen if he has any by-god way to prevent it. It seems that Books had driven his freshly
waxed antique pumper to work and when a rain cloud came on the horizon, and he backed the rig into the
open bay. It was just a matter of time when Chief Burns arrived and couldnt park in the open bay and got
soaked trying to get into the locked door of the overhead passage door. Chief Burns noted regulations of
preventing POVs in the firehouse, and how the secured station door could prevent a passer-by from reporting
a fire. Books retorts by saying his vehicle was a by-god fire engine and didnt want any of the local by-god
rift raft touching his rig. Chief Burns continues that no one would steal the Mack, and Books retorts with,
Because of its painted that god awful green thats why. The conversation concludes with Chief Burns face
a fire engine red, budging neck veins, and a threat of Books transfer to the other shift.
It is after nine, a pot of coffee has been consumed, and the committee work has begun, holding the egg
sandwiches off till Chief Burns arrives with the morning dispatch. After some thinking, and coffee drinkin
time, Captain Snut mutters about the little chief being around all of the time and the possibility of an early
retirement. Dink thinks of where that spare can of wax is do he can keep chief car clean and polished, while
Curbs starts to call the union, and is promptly put on hold. Reach is thinking of the little chief standing by the
stove peering in the covered pots and continually opening the stove to check of what is cooking. The gang is
each dealing with the possibility of an ever presence of the little chief and how they can get over on the suck
up Loo. Meanwhile Books has retreated to the open bay when Chief Burns car backs up to the closed
overhead door. The door remains closed. Gal dang it all, whadda them boys up to? The chief blows the red
cars horn.
There is the beginning of an early morning rain shower as Books walks to the car and taps on the window.
(Continued next month).

Prayer portion. Time is not on our side, and the thought remains, when we plan a tomorrow, let God laugh.
He is the tomorrow we dont plan on. Tomorrow is promised to no one, as well as one never knows what will
happen to our health, or fortune. Cut to the chase, are you saved by the blood of Jesus? That is one thing that
assures you of a tomorrow knowing of the assurance of Him. He is, always was, and always will be. That is
more than well ever have in this world. Turn your life over to Him today. We pray for those in our circle
with needs, health and financial, and that unknown tomorrow. Share the Word today. Praise God!

.And remember; dont leave the station with out your FILL LINE!
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