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The Lincoln Highway National Museum & Archives 102 Old Lincoln Way West Galion, Ohio 44833 (419) 462-2212 Voice |
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Number 12
Fire at 123 Ash Street
Kids,
Well, I guess one thing you learn on the road is that life is full of surprises,
especially when you hang out in fire stations.
I arrived in Evanston early around 3 pm and made my way to the Fire Hall.
The Chief had his hands full, so I went to the local library to do some research.
Around 7 pm I headed back to the station to meet with a group of EMT's at their monthly meeting.
During the course of the evening I was asked to give a talk on my journey...
Afterward, one of the fellows gave me an Evanston Fire Department Jacket.
While I have received many hats, shirts and patches this was the first Jacket.
I was quite touched by his gesture and wondered what I might do so my appreciation.
Little did I know then, that soon I would earn the right to wear it with pride.
In addition, one of the fellows invited me to stay at his house.
He said his son was on the USA Bobslead team and was away training for the Olympics so he had a spare bed.
On the way to his place, I innocently told him about my visit to a school in Mountain View earlier in the day.
Hard to believe, but he was a teacher as well...
One thing lead to another, and I soon found myself scheduled to give a presentation
to the 3rd and 5th Grades at Aspen Elementary.
The plan was to go to the fire hall early, put up the flag at 9:30, then head out to the school
around 10:30 or 11 so I'd have plenty of time to get to Salt Lake City before dark.
At 9:30 the Sun was still hiding behind the clouds, so I indulged in a few local treats.
Evanston is the only fire house I've ever seen with a fountain soda dispenser
and a cupboard full of Oreo's and Chip's Ahoy.
Oh, happy days...
It was around 10:00, I was just about to say lets put the flag up when the tone sounded...
Fire at 123 Ash Street...
It was like time stopped, everyone grabbed their gear and ran for the trucks.
I was the only one suited up and ready to go, so the Chief said, "Come on."
The chief pulled the truck on to the apron and waited 30 to 60 seconds for the volunteers to arrive.
"First Out" was already reporting back on the radio, it was a trailer fire and was fully involved.
As we pulled out of the station and rounded the corner toward the fire,
you could see a huge plumb of smoke billowing up toward the sky and flames shooting out the windows.
My plan was to lay low, stay out of the way and try and get some good photos,
but before Plan "A" could be implimented Plan "B" went onto effect.
Strangely enough, there were things to do...
I helped one of the firemen gear up,then grabbed a hose and straightened the line
as the Chief waited to charge the line for the firefighters.
With this accomplished, I fell back to the parimeter to take photos
and watched as the firemen attacked the building.
Quite a sight, I think you will agree...
At several points, white smoke completely enshrouded the scene
After about 20 minutes there were bells and whistles going off all over and people yelling, "I need air".
I looked around and everyone was busy, so I ran over to the truck
and grabbed a couple air bottles thinking someone would soon come to help.
No such luck, they were all fully engaged.
Suddenly there was a fireman by my side leaning over with hands on his knees
expecting me to change him out.
Kind of a "Crash Course" but we got the job done.
Good thing I had SCUBA training as a young lad.
Later with the fire just smoldering, I asked to put some water on for the camera,
only to get some real action later on as a few hot spots flared up.
That's a 2 1/2 inch line I'll have you know...
About an hour and a half after the call came in, there was finally time to survey the damage...
A Total Loss!!!
Next comes the fun part...cleaning up the mess, rolling up the hoses and packing up the gear.
Yes, I got a chance to do that as well...
Back at the station by 12:30 with everything cleaned up,
the phone rang to remind me of my appointment at Aspen Elementary.
So off I went for a most enjoyable afternoon...
More on this in a separate email.
Later that evening it was time to critique the days activities.
Originally the plan was to mentally go through each step of the fire,
but then I remembered my photos so we set up the laptop and got out the overhead projector.
Not the best of photo here, but the images on the screen
provided a clear timeline for each phase of the fire.
I was thrilled it worked out so that others could learn from the experience
and withness the fire up close and first hand.
Later, the Chief gave me a hat and patch to go along with my jacket.
This was my second structure fire while on the road, the first being in Irwin, Pa.
More on that later...
Warmest Regards,
For the Chief...Thanks!!!
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Designed By: The Starman
You are Visitor #
Since December 23, 2001
Well, I guess one thing you learn on the road is that life is full of surprises,
especially when you hang out in fire stations.
I arrived in Evanston early around 3 pm and made my way to the Fire Hall.
The Chief had his hands full, so I went to the local library to do some research.
Around 7 pm I headed back to the station to meet with a group of EMT's at their monthly meeting.
During the course of the evening I was asked to give a talk on my journey...
Afterward, one of the fellows gave me an Evanston Fire Department Jacket.
While I have received many hats, shirts and patches this was the first Jacket.
I was quite touched by his gesture and wondered what I might do so my appreciation.
Little did I know then, that soon I would earn the right to wear it with pride.
In addition, one of the fellows invited me to stay at his house.
He said his son was on the USA Bobslead team and was away training for the Olympics so he had a spare bed.
On the way to his place, I innocently told him about my visit to a school in Mountain View earlier in the day.
Hard to believe, but he was a teacher as well...
One thing lead to another, and I soon found myself scheduled to give a presentation
to the 3rd and 5th Grades at Aspen Elementary.
The plan was to go to the fire hall early, put up the flag at 9:30, then head out to the school
around 10:30 or 11 so I'd have plenty of time to get to Salt Lake City before dark.
At 9:30 the Sun was still hiding behind the clouds, so I indulged in a few local treats.
Evanston is the only fire house I've ever seen with a fountain soda dispenser
and a cupboard full of Oreo's and Chip's Ahoy.
Oh, happy days...
It was around 10:00, I was just about to say lets put the flag up when the tone sounded...
Fire at 123 Ash Street...
It was like time stopped, everyone grabbed their gear and ran for the trucks.
I was the only one suited up and ready to go, so the Chief said, "Come on."
The chief pulled the truck on to the apron and waited 30 to 60 seconds for the volunteers to arrive.
"First Out" was already reporting back on the radio, it was a trailer fire and was fully involved.
As we pulled out of the station and rounded the corner toward the fire,
you could see a huge plumb of smoke billowing up toward the sky and flames shooting out the windows.
My plan was to lay low, stay out of the way and try and get some good photos,
but before Plan "A" could be implimented Plan "B" went onto effect.
Strangely enough, there were things to do...
I helped one of the firemen gear up,then grabbed a hose and straightened the line
as the Chief waited to charge the line for the firefighters.
With this accomplished, I fell back to the parimeter to take photos
and watched as the firemen attacked the building.
Quite a sight, I think you will agree...
At several points, white smoke completely enshrouded the scene
After about 20 minutes there were bells and whistles going off all over and people yelling, "I need air".
I looked around and everyone was busy, so I ran over to the truck
and grabbed a couple air bottles thinking someone would soon come to help.
No such luck, they were all fully engaged.
Suddenly there was a fireman by my side leaning over with hands on his knees
expecting me to change him out.
Kind of a "Crash Course" but we got the job done.
Good thing I had SCUBA training as a young lad.
Later with the fire just smoldering, I asked to put some water on for the camera,
only to get some real action later on as a few hot spots flared up.
That's a 2 1/2 inch line I'll have you know...
About an hour and a half after the call came in, there was finally time to survey the damage...
A Total Loss!!!
Next comes the fun part...cleaning up the mess, rolling up the hoses and packing up the gear.
Yes, I got a chance to do that as well...
Back at the station by 12:30 with everything cleaned up,
the phone rang to remind me of my appointment at Aspen Elementary.
So off I went for a most enjoyable afternoon...
More on this in a separate email.
Later that evening it was time to critique the days activities.
Originally the plan was to mentally go through each step of the fire,
but then I remembered my photos so we set up the laptop and got out the overhead projector.
Not the best of photo here, but the images on the screen
provided a clear timeline for each phase of the fire.
I was thrilled it worked out so that others could learn from the experience
and withness the fire up close and first hand.
Later, the Chief gave me a hat and patch to go along with my jacket.
This was my second structure fire while on the road, the first being in Irwin, Pa.
More on that later...
Warmest Regards,
For the Chief...Thanks!!!
BACK-11 |
Email-Index |
NEXT-13 |
HOME |
Designed By: The Starman
You are Visitor #
Since December 23, 2001