The Fill Line

January 2013

A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons

While out scoot-a-pootin. I took a venture to the Denver, Colorado area for a visit, which included a stop at
the Littleton Fire/Rescue Department as well as the Denver Fire Museum. First I will address the LF/RD.
With Mapco in hand (along with required magnifying glass), I drove toward the downtown area of Littleton.
The central city area is nestled at the base of the mountains on Colorado highway 85. Located along the rails of
the Santa Fe is the Littleton city hall. The downtown fire station is situated at the end of the city hall building
which houses an engine, squad, and an antique engine (visible to the public through an exterior window). The
Fire Administration is on the second floor of city hall, where I met a most cordial group of folks. First was
Cathy Smith, PNP and permit coordinator, and Julie Martin VNP, chiefs secretary. After finding I was looking
for a department brochure, or anything else I could get my hands on (since most information is found on the
computer web page), I was turned over to Jay Ruoff, chief of training and safety. We got to talking shop, as I
was promoting my book as well as offering a copy of The Fill Line. In turn, Chief Ruoff gave me a copy of their
monthly training notes called 20/20 Hindsight. About this time Fire Chief John Mullin, CFO MIFireE,
appeared and it turned into a general exchange of information. Despite the lunch hour, they were most gracious.
Oh, I am not sure about those descriptive letters for the chief, but I was told that PNP and VNP equals to pretty
nice person and very nice person. I cannot begin to thank these folks enough for their hospitality.
I did stop at their stations #12, and station #17. While these folks are busy with their assigned duties, they did
take time to answer my questions and were most cordial at both houses. When I stopped at station #15, about
time I cut the car off, they had a fire call, and out the door they went. Also, I regret that I didnt take members
names, but they are a real good group, very good with visitors.
While there are eight stations in the department, they are broken down to three response areas. A listing of the
firehouses included the area of responsibility and nicknames of the crews are as follows. Serving the City of
Littleton is: station #11, the Polecats, and station #12, the Pirates. Serving the Littleton Fire Protection
District are; station #13, the Wolf Pack, station #14, Hill Street, and station #15, Fighting 15s, Finally
serving the Highland Ranch area: station #16, the Blake land Bulldogs, station #17, the Pride of the Prairie,
and station #18, Hotel California. I was able to view 17s equipment, which included a squad, engine, brush,
and haz-mat rig. Most fire engines seen are solid red American LaFrance Eagles, as well as an ALF/E ladder rig
housed at #12, although a yellow Pierce was observed at station #12. When I mentioned to one crewmember
that a certain lime green engine I saw apparently hadnt ripened yet, the conversation turned to a report of a new
engine currently being built that will sport the black top over red color combination. When noting the blue
chevrons on the back of a squad while the engine had a yellow chevron, a politically correct, response was it
came that way, as there was no preference given. I had just never seen the blue and white so thought it might
be designed for the area with their various weather conditions (snow and fog etc.) While I met a diverse group
of firefighters, they were most receptive, and I give them my highest rating for their efforts in public relations,
very neat appearances, and overall professionalism. Littleton can be most proud of their fire/rescue department!
The Denver Fire museum is at 1326 Tremont St. right down town. Parking is a premium and I ended up in a
private parking lot as curbside parking is $1.00 an hour payable in quarters, and it was noted the curb cops are
most diligent. The exhibits feature apparatus, photos and personal equipment. Communication displays include
box alarms to a 9-1-1 console. The station is much inclined to public education. Hours are: Mon-Sat 10 AM to 4
PM, closed Sundays and major holidays. Phone: 303-892-1436 for information.
In more local news, I was surprised to know that Ken Isoms niece is in my sign language class at the library. I
asked her about any aspirations of emergency services in her future, but think she would be more interested
being a vet with her love of horses. I see Tom Leverentz is His-honor the Mayor of Ovilla these days, makes me
think of Mayor LaGuardia of New York who would show up at fires, even carried fire gear in his limo.
A major fire apparatus purchase is underway in Midlothian. Fire Chief David Schrodt reports ordering three
Pierce fire pumpers, sporting a black over red color combination and black wheels. The units will also have a
new door decal that emphasizes W.W. Majors, who purchased the town's first motorized fire engine (currently
on display at the fire administration building). Anticipated purchase price, around $585,000 per pumper.
(More Poot, next page)
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While out scoot-a-pootin continued. Dallas (TX) fire/rescue marked forty years being in the paramedic level
rescue business. In 1972 DFD station #6 received the first rescue call in November of that year, with only 12
available ambulance units (they have 46 units today). Dallas currently has 800 paramedics. Check out the DFD
web page, it is neat. Dumas Texas has an opening for a firefighter. Call 806-935-4101 ext. 106 for an
application package. Finally, overall book sales for the Firehouse Kitchen are looking really good, as my
stocking stuffer was available at a good time (for Christmas). In case you missed the opportunity, check out FSP
Books and Videos to order your copy at (800) 522-8528, and is also with Amazon.com.
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!
Question of the Month: January During rescue procedures, heroics are sometimes realized after the fact, such
as entering a smoke charged room without SCBA to pull a victim to safety. When would a flying guillotine be a
consideration during fire ground operations?
The answer for: December (2012) It was a movie made in 1936, where three members of a fire department are
about to lose their jobs because of their ineptness. The movie was called False Alarms and starred the Three
Stooges. The film was 17 minutes long, took four days to make, and contained twelve slaps and three pokes.
Note: Tom Pritchert called and was first to answer this question.
The Firehouse kitchen. Books was a bit torked when Lt. Hart took his fire related picture posters off the
firehouse kitchens walls in the firehouse replacing them with a group of poster boards with monthly expectation
of training and other station activity for the new year. The Lieutenant also had suggested to the big chief to take
out the recliners since down time would be minimal with his expectations of service to the community even
suggesting the kitchen be taken out and the troops could brown bag or send out for dinners. The members
should be out doing inspections, or other productive activity instead of sitting around the firehouse, voiced Lt.
Hart. Captain Snut felt that one should already know their job, and public relations were confined to being in
front of the engine bay talking to the neighbors, and keeping the yard nice. (Captain Snut intends to win the
flickering flower award again this year). Curbs has called the union and complained about the intents of the Loo,
claiming that the expectations will suppress moral and widen the gap between management and the firefighters.
(Curbs likes the recliners since he spends so much time in them). Reach boldly defends his kitchen and feels
fresh meals are the staple of the firehouse enhancing fellowship and the brotherhood of the institution. (Besides
it keeps him out involvement of some of the more dirty details around the firehouse as he prepares his meals, or
at least looks like he is doing something). Dink is complacent until he hears that a squad will join the ranks of
apparatus. (Dink hopes his mother will help him remember where he put the white squad jacket and the EMS
collar brass). But it is Chief Burns who puts the squash in Lt. Harts ideals of greasing the wheel. Firehouse #13
may be a bit off center of the norm around the fire department, but the recliners are just right to relax in after
enjoying some of Reachs cuisine. Yes, says Chief Burns, Gal dang it all, if it aint broke dont fix it! The
New Year looks to be normal, or as normal as firehouse #13 can make it, and it looks as though the firehouse
and its members will remain unscathed for another year.
Firehouse 13 remains the only engine house in the city with no rescue vehicle in it.

Prayer portion The New Year brings plenty of opportunity to share the good news of Jesus to the troubled
world, as we dont know of His return time. We offer prayer for the unsaved and troubled of the society. We
pray for financial and health issues that plague those, known by us or not. Most important we give thanks to the
name of Jesus for His touch in past events so we can to shower His name with praise. Thank You Lord, as You
are our strength in these days. Be with us in the New Year as we ask blessing for those in the fire and rescue
community, our military and the nation. We pray for Your return to our schools and public places. Praise God!

Remember; dont leave the station with out your FILL LINE!
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