October 6 - 12, 2024 is National Fire Prevention Week.
My family lived across the street from our hometown volunteer fire department until I was almost four years old. All of the fireman knew me well and took time to show me the engines on many occasions, and even let me sit in the drivers seat of the open cab Diamond Reo pumper. This all instilled within me a respect & fondness for firefighters and the apparatus that swiftly transported them to emergency situations.
For the last several years it has been my honor to play solo trumpet for the Red and Blue Mass held in September at St. Joseph's Monastery in Baltimore. Held once a year, the Red and Blue Mass honors all the fallen first responders ( both fire and police ) who passed away during the year. The Mass is attended by police and fire/rescue personnel from throughout the mid Atlantic region. As the names & department of the fallen are individually called out a single chime is sounded on a large bell ( like the one on a fire engine ). The entire ceremony is quite moving.
During this Fire Prevention Week I just thought it would be a nice tribute for us model railroaders to pay tribute to those in the fire service by posting some photos of fire & rescue apparatus and firehouse/firemen/woman who reside on our layouts. I'm sure many of you have fire service on your layouts. If you're so inclined please post some photos of your fire service personnel, apparatus, and/or fire stations. Let's see if we can keep this thread going all this week.
Patsburg Fire Department Engine Company 5
Chief Bill Merson's chief car leads the way for an emergency call. 
A water tender takes on water from a Ma & Pa tank car. The tender will take water to a nearby forest fire and refill equipment used to fight the fire. 
In the Westend section of Patsburg Elmwood Hose Co's engine and ambulance are the first due to all emergencies within Westend. They also run mutual aid calls to surrounding communities. 
A brand new Cadillac ambulance has just arrived at Co. 5 in Lower Patsburg. This ambulance reminds me of the first new ambulance bought by my hometown volunteer fire company. It's an identical model. I saw this model ambulance at York and had to get it! 
Company 5 is home to two Seagrave Anniversary rescue vehicles ... an open cab pumper and a heavy rescue squad. 
Mini pumper 1 responds to both brush and structure fires. This was another York Show buy.
Company 5 apparatus standing at the ready. The firehouse, a OGR Ameritown model, was customized by Corky Dozier. It contains a full interior in the 2nd and 3rd floors plus illumination. 
