Very interesting too see how volunteer (and carreer) fire companies have changed over the last 60 years in terms of gear, training etc. and on the other hand have not changed that much. Of course the protective gear they had back then is no match to modern gear, and some things are trained and done different today. and of course, sirens for alarming the volunteers, while still in use, get less and replaced by other systems. But one thing I really find interesting, from the perspective of someone living in Germany. Back then, at least with that company, they used high pressure hoses as first attack hoses. I think today those are called a booster reel as those hoses are stored on a reel on the truck. And they are common across Europe here. I have seen them on US vehicles only on the latest electric driven Rosenbauer engines. But in most places, they don´t have those any more, but instead may have a regular hose (2 inch line I think) preconnected. But the main difference, and I guess this is valid here in Europe as well in the US, it seems to become more and more difficult to get volunteers to be ready to spend their time and take the risk.
Even in 1963 they almost killed each other getting to the firehouse for a call, no different than today. I swear some of them guys roll into the station pretty fast, I've had the state trooper behind me more than once myself.
That old timer joined around 1915 with hirse drawn steam engines. Not only fighting fire knowledge but horse care, feeding, shoeing, hitching up a team, care and maintenance of all the reins, and leather gear... all that experience and knowledge, gone! Thank you "Mike" for your years of service!
Nice documentary, and I asked this question all the time of channels on RU-vid, how come you have nothing on your biography, what is your channel about where was this department located etc. it takes just a few minutes to type something out and let people know what your channel is here for, I’ll be watching
I've been fascinated with the fire department since I was in elementary school, but I never joined. Went military instead. I have nothing but the highest respect for the men and women who do this dangerous work.
Started as a Oxford ma call ff in 1986 always looked up to my big brother who did the same in early 74 .. I just ret ff /medic. IAAF in mass . It is a ❤ type of job
I was a student at The Phelps School in Malvern in the early 70s when we had a fire at Rosengarden Hall. I joined my local Volunteer company in Baltimore County,Maryland when I turned 16, and was hired in the career department in 1978. This movie brings back many memories. Retired as a career Captain after 33.5 years in the Baltimore County Fire Department. Still active as a Peer Support Team member…Thank you Brothers and Sisters🫡 Jhett Lewis Ret. Baltimore County Fire Department
Was there per chance a welsh settlement in this area a while ago? I'm live in Wales and Bryn Mawr means Big Hill. Also there's a village near where I work called Brynmawr
Awesome video of past times. So, I identified the Seagrave tiller, the ALF 700 series pumper, and quint, and what I think are either Pirsch or Maxim trucks. Love the CJ-2 brush rig also. Why were they pushing the rigs into the bays towards the end though? Heavy rigs to be pushing!
"When the whistle blows... the volunteer firemen will respond!" 🚒 Excellent documentary and interviews, the questions asked are great. Firefighters are the bravest I see.
I showed this to my little old mom who grew up in Ardmore. She was excited to spot some familiar faces in the crowd -- herself and her two sisters, her aunt, her grandfather, and a favorite neighbor, to name a few. I wonder if anyone else can tell if the band playing outside of the station was Jones's band, as she suspects.
Retired 22-51 here from Belmont Hills. Joined in 1976 what great times in Lower Merion Township . Much respect to Jack Thomas Bryan Mawr Chief. To put into perspective I was 3 when this was filmed and at 21 was Deputy Chief and Jack Thomas was still the Chief. Police and Fireman softball league was great as were fire drills at the tower and socials. Best wishes to all my many friends.
Heh! I remember seeing those old Scott air packs when i first started out in 1979. Heavy S.O.B.'s! A full bottle of 2200 pounds of air would last between 20-30 minutes, depending on how fast you were breathing, but some guys would empty one in ten minutes. The air packs they have now are much lighter and better.
They are still pretty heavy with all the “new features” added on. 45 minute composite cylinders vs the steel ones you probably had. Can still suck a bottle back in 25 minutes when you’re breathing heavily
I was on neighboring Newtown Square in 1966 and still recall being on a station cover assignment when that klaxon horn went off. I swear I cleared two feet under my butt.
Great video. Love the shots of the long gone apparatus. I hope you have more videos like this. Also, at the end of the video was that the housing ceremony for the new apparatus?
I joined in 1965 and remember the metal helmets, high boots and riding on the side or rear step, sometimes to mutual aid fires miles away! Great times! 😂😂
