In the 1920's the WA Fire Brigade imported the chassis for the T Model Ford fire trucks from Canada, when arriving in Perth the front mounted pumps and equipment would be added before they were then sent to country volunteer fire stations. This particular 1924 T Model Ford Light Pumper had a very hard life after it was finally decommissioned from the WA Fire Service, spending thirty years on a farm as a 'fencing vehicle'. When it was finally donated to the Fire and Emergency Services Heritage Branch it was nothing more than a pile of parts, Jeff showed me the pictures and believe me it's a miracle that they were able to save it at all, however this is exactly what happened. Over the next seven years volunteers from FESA painstakingly restored it, mainly by hand, even importing Hickory wood from America for the hand carved wheel spokes, and finally, complete with working gears and engine it was driven off the carrier into the museum where it is quite rightly displayed with pride, a huge achievement.....
Of course no fire station is complete without the 'fireman's pole', designed to get the men down from the upper levels of the station ASAP..I have to admit, if there hadn't been a glass barrier preventing people from having a go...I would probably have HAD A GO!! Or maybe not, it is a little bit high!!
I have visions of these big fire doors being pulled open and the fire engines rushing out with their bells a'clanging.....!! Sometimes I think I have a very 'romantic' notion of what 'the past' was like. Hope your week is off to a good start, stay safe.....
If you look at the width of the fire station doors, it is easy to understand why many of the stations became unsuitable.
ReplyDeleteSomething about those shiny RED fire trucks! Hang on - or is it the firemen in uniform?? HHHMMMmmm... can't decide!!
ReplyDeleteLe camion est magnifique, j'en veux un comme ca, j'adore
ReplyDeleteA cool post Grace!
ReplyDeleteObviously not practical, but what a shame the modern trucks don't look so sexy! I remember old fire tenders in the UK when I was a kid...not too much unlike this one. (I suddenly feel a little bit old)! LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteNeat post, Grace. That's amazing they worked on restoring that vehicle for 7 years. Love the perspective you used for the fireman's pole shot.
ReplyDeleteI can just see you sliding down that pole...glad they had that barrier! I think we all have a yearning for a time when things were not so frantic! Nice post - the history is always appreciated!
ReplyDeleteNice close ups. I am always amazed by wooden wheels for a car.
ReplyDeleteFabulous post!
ReplyDeleteAloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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What a wonderful story about the fire truck. Not only was it's life saved, it was given a face lift and tummy tuck!
ReplyDeleteI reckon a lot of blood, sweat, tears and swearing went into the restoration as well :-).
ReplyDeleteYou sound like you would have made a wonderful fire lady! :-) Isn't the passion and dedication wonderful?
ReplyDeleteLots of love in that shine....
ReplyDeleteA wonderful building and I like the looking down the pole shot.
ReplyDeleteFYI I shall post about Messrs Rolls and Royce and their Manchester concection when the ABC Wednesday linky reaches "R" in a few weeks, late May ;-)
I've always been fascinated with the fire pole, too! Wish they still had them around :D
ReplyDeleteYes, I think you are a romantic, but there's nothing wrong with that! Amazing that they were able to restore a Model T fire truck to such a pristine condition. I actually remember Model T cars - a neighbor of my grandmother's who lived in northern Minnesota drove one every day. They were still a lot of Model A's around at that time, too.
ReplyDeleteRomance and firemen .. I can understand the connection .. and that pole in the firehouse .. just sayin' ...
ReplyDeleteInteresting story, Grace, it looks wonderful now!
ReplyDeleteI'm fascinated by old and new firetrucks. Do you suppose RED has anything to do with it??
ReplyDeleteV
You can't beat red.
ReplyDeleteI would really like to visit this place!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
ReplyDeleteOf course I'd heard of the firemen's pole but I've never actually stood near the edge the way you did - seems pretty scary to me !
ReplyDeleteI want that engine!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid in the early 1950's our fire station had a brass pole. The firemen slept above the station and used the pole for quick access to the trucks. I hung around there so often that they let me slide down the pole. It was scary the first time and then a lot of fun. Your post brought back a lot of memories. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great series of photos and a grand adventure!
ReplyDeleteDarryl and Ruth :)
Interesting and nice documentary.
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