Old fire apparatus had class!

By today's standards, this 1973 Mack/Baker Aerialscope looks kind of plain and utilitarian, but I've always like them for just that reason . . .they are work horses! This particular rig - "Yellow 11" - is part of the Atlanta Fire & Rescue Department's fleet and still protects Hartsfield-Jackson Airport. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm a fan of our modern day apparatus, but there was (and still is) something about those "old" apparatus slogging away on the fireground. I don't know how many times I've seen East Point's 1970ish Ford/Pirsch engines (pictured at left) still sitting on a fire scene going strong after an all-night battle with the "Red Devil" (fire). The hood would probably be up to give the big motor some extra fresh, cool air and the lights had probably been shutoff but it was still there doing what it does best! Then, when the job was done, it would rumble back to life and return its crew to their quarters.

Of course the title of workhorse wasn't limited to just the engines and trucks . . .starting back as early as the mid sixities many departments had begun to operate "first aid squads" -- a precursor to today's modern Emergency Medical Service (EMS). Like it's counterpart across the bay in the firehouse, these units weren't afraid of a little hard work. I think one of my favorites was this one from Baltimore, Maryland which, incidentally was in service with that department when I was born in 1963. And, make no mistake, when they started to get some age that didn't mean their fire service career was over. They would be rehabbed - either by the original manufacturer or by the department shops - and begin a second life as an air unit (to refill self-contained breating apparatus (SCBA) on the fire ground) or some other job for a workhorse with a proven track record of service!

To see some of these units in action: Fire & EMS operations (Flicker group)

Until next time . . .