The Fill Line

October 2012

A column for firehouse reading by Thomas J. Parsons

While out scoot-a-pootin. It was nice to see Mark and his significant other in the HEB in Ennis. He is from
Michigan and is serving on the Bristol community VFD. On that note, I had spooted up to Colorado for a week
of touring south of Denver along I-25 and I-470. Firehouses were found in the towns of Elizabeth, Franktown,
and Kiowa. Although these communities were voluntary, they offered ambulance service. The Elizabeth gang
was out filling the boot for MD on state road 86 that passed through town. They had a Pierce pumper poised
along the road, and members stood in the centerline at a traffic light (one of two in town). Kiowa is the furthest
town east on state road 86, while Franktown was nearer state road 83, and neither was staffed during the visit.
All of the towns were south of Parker, a growing community southeast of Denver. My base was the community
of Highlands Ranch, a planned community along the I-470 corridor. It seems that a private concern called the
West Metro Fire Protection District is the provider for emergency services in the area, to the tune of a reported
17 fire stations. Each station has a minimum of an engine and squad, along with either a tanker, or ladder
depending on the service area. I was able to stop at the Parker firehouse where I met Lt. Dan Wills and his crew.
(I apologize for not being able to remember the crewmembers names). The group is very receptive to visitors,
but I was able to stop by before their commitment of training to be held later that morning. The firefighters duty
uniform consists of a T-shirt and shorts with parachute pockets (hope that is right Dan), as employee comfort
was the utmost. With the cost of duty uniforms this seems right for in station activity to me. The engine was
an American Lafrance quint (similar to the one in the latest Fire Apparatus Journal on page 20, Rick), as well
as one very large commercial tanker, and squad. A battalion chief is stationed here as well. While this was a
city-type area, the tanker would respond to some of the unincorporated areas south of town or mutual aid with
the small towns. I did observe other stations belonging to the West Metro system in and around, but the contrast
was a station out on state road 85 close to a community called Louviers. Here the East Metro station had a
Pierce Quantum engine, tanker, and a brush rig due to the rural service area. The areas closer to the I-470
county line feature single home and condo housing along with various shopping centers and business, thus the
need for aerial devices. The department reflects the highest level of professionalism and if in the area the
department is a must visit. Thanks again to Lt. Dan Wills and crewmembers of the WMFPD for their time and
consideration.
I appreciated Andrew Branca (Waxahachie Daily Light) taking some time to talk with me about my book, The
Firehouse Kitchen. Andrew does a great job of covering the fire department activities around Ellis County. He
made it to the grand opening of Waxahachie fire station two. He noted that tradition prevailed with WFD AC
Potter uncoupling a hose to signify the stations opening, as well as Chief Hudgins and several guest pushing
the new pumper into quarters. I was in Colorado, thus missed the event. He also went by Forreston/ESD 6 to see
the addition to their fire station for a climate favored meeting and training room, that even the board of directors
will use. I think Andrew is the real guy that is out a-scoot-a-pootin!
John Sees, a voluntary Lt. writes in and makes this contribution. He misses Sunday mornings at the fire
station, when they would get together to check the equipment. Someone would bring in breakfast; theyd eat,
and then go to work. Of course the old timers would try to pass their wisdom on to the youth. One of the young
members said that he would like to make more runs, but didnt think that his girlfriend would like it. They told
him to let her now that the fire service comes first. Another member said thats right, that he knew that a guy
that was on a date, and when a fire call came in, he left his girlfriend, (now his wife), out at a corner and made
her walk some three blocks up hill to his mothers home while he went on the call. Now see, that guy knew how
to train her right. John looked at him and asked who it was? The answer was John. Somehow, he didnt
remember it right away so when he got home and asked the wife if she remember it and she said that she did.
John went on to sat that he remembered the time and corner he left her off at, but he couldnt remember the
call. Hmmm. Did you know Smoky the bear was 68 this year? Meanwhile, keep the hoses dry and well see
you out while scoot-a-pootin. Id love to hear from you, connect with me at phone: 972-878-0562, or e-mail :
labwdp@academicplanet.com
Question of the Month: October. In 1967 a publication discussing the the chain of survival was published
by cardiologist Frank Pantridge. What was the intent of his research?
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The answer for: September. Naval Station Pearl Harbors 1942 Seagraves apparatus was not painted and
served in primer paint (the rig didnt have any chrome or red paint) due to restrictions of certain materials
during the war years.

The Firehouse kitchen. The little chief comes to a stop and looks over at the stuck fire engine. Well, Gal
dang it all, you have outdone yourself. A red faced Curbs steps from the pumper and tries to tell Chief Burns of
how he instinctively performed the approved safety MPO system to avoid being hit by the crazed delivery truck
driving at excessive speed through the area, but the little chief is not impressed and calls for a wrecker. Where
is Captain Snut? as Curbs points to the woods line. Captain Snut and Dink emerges from the thick woods with
found hook and extinguisher in hand, but not expecting to find Chief Burns. What are you out looking for,
something to extinguish, and why didnt Curbs have a spotter when he was performing this maneuver, gal dang
it all, screams Chief Burns. Captain Snut, not aware of Curbs latest mis-hap stands speechless while Dink just
smiles at Curbs misadventure.
Meanwhile Books is descending the hook and ladder truck at the muster and is on the pedestal when city
radio blares out the need for a wrecker to respond to retrieve engine thirteen after a reported accident involving
a delivery truck. Books and Tamilee exchange looks when the loud speaker announces the winning ticket
number and its owner is to report to the associations fire buffs canteen truck. Books pulls the lone ticket from
his pocket.
Chief Burns has Captain Snut in the red sedan giving him grief over the stuck fire engine as well as some
paperwork that must be signed by noon, and are oblivious when a TV news crew that is in the area, shows up at
the stuck pumper truck. This becomes a news-alert as lunchtime programming is interrupted for the story. A TV
camera captures the event as the young reporter tells of the heroic effort by the fire engine driver to save his
crew preventing the fire engine from flipping over after being forced from the highway. The unknown delivery
truck driver is described as a crazed hippy type probably on drugs and who is suspected of fleeing an earlier
reported botched bank robbery. Curbs swells up with the reporters intense observation as Dink just sits on the
side step and holds his head. The reporter quickly points out that this unknamed firefighter has sustained major
head injuries and awaits an air evacuation. By now most of the city fire houses are turning on the popular daily
game show seen during lunch and are taking in the extravagant report.
Books sees that he has the winning number and he and Tamilee go to claim his prize.
The reporter notes that most fire engines in the city have a five-member crew and the other two of the
assigned crew have been taken from the scene by a department ambulance noting the absence of any other
emergency vehicles. He concludes that one firefighter may have received fatal injuries after allegedly being
driven over by vehicle that failed to stop since he was probably on a cell phone. The incident subsides and the
TV crew decides it is time to chase a new report of a purse-snatcher, and they leave as fast as they arrived.
Captain Snut steps from the red sedan as Chief Burns goes to another firehouse. Meanwhile Reach has turned
on the TV and pinches himself.
Books and Tamilee find Shnick Shaffer standing by the canteen and Schnick asks for the holder of the
winning ticket to step forward. Books walks to the canteen and hands him his ticket. In return, Schnick gives
Books the title to the 1960 American Lafrance open cab pumper used during the re-build of engine thirteens
Mack. Tamilee just rolls her eyes as tears appear in Books eyes.
After some time the wrecker arrives and removes the pumper from the soft dirt. Engine thirteen radios a return
to quarters, as Reach turns up the heat for a much-anticipated lunch already in the oven.

Prayer portion. I listened to the moans and groans from them while we had fellowship. There are so many
obvious as well as hidden concerns of those around us. Then I think of the blessings I have within our
household, good health, air conditioner, and a paid for vehicle. About all one can do sometimes is to pray for
their concerns but thank Him in advance for their results, be them in His will. Then huge thanks for those things
answered within and the desire for all to be in His will and protection at all times. Yes there is a God. Are you
connected?

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