Fire Engines Photos

A very sad episode in the life of the Birmingham pub bombings (may have been the bull ring) by the I.R.A in the seventies. A news reel at the time showed a Dennis Appliance in attendance at the incident I wonder if this was the appliance in question.

Added by BOB CARVER on 22 November 2012.

Tony, well done plenty of fine pictures. A credit to all personell that BFB always had machines that looked clean and smart. Any photos of the Leyland Comets?

Added by Ian Avery on 23 November 2012.

Interesting blue lights on the roof they don't look like normal rotating beacons

Added by Adam White on 24 November 2012.

Firemen took pride in their job in those days Ian as well all know. Since 9/11 they've used the excuse not to bother with the public visiting stations even though they use the emphsis of "Community" on buildings. Many can't be bothered when asked to manouver a vehicle into posistion and block you out on the historical side of brigades. Sad but true.

Added by Andrew Middleton on 25 November 2012.

I've been to the USA this summer. And I can tell you that the Fire man/woman are very kind. Even on the (smaller) airports I was very welcome. Sometimes even when I didn't made a appointment. And also a few years ago this was the case in the UK. Perhaps I visit them as a "tourist" from abroad ?

Added by Marcel Sloover on 26 November 2012.

I have lived in the US since 1976. Firefighters here usually have an excellent relationship with the general public, are very highly regarded and do a great deal of community service on a voluntary basis, as well as providing their expertise in all kinds of emergencies, including medical and ambulance.

KIds grow up to think of them as their local heroes, and fire stations are almost always open to visitors without even thinking of making appointments.

This was true even before 9/11, but took on a whole new dimension after the FDNY 343 members fell on that day. Stations were showered with wreaths, food items, children's toys and other gifts.

Added by Rob Johnson on 27 November 2012.

Political correctness and dogma surround old fire engines being used as a trojan horse persay have had there efffect on brigades over here. True, i've never heard of anyone being refuse in Europe and the USA. I myself was in Stockholm in 2004 and was made very welcome by the brigade there. It's just one or two people I can mention who had paranoia and the whole dominoe effect caused the problem we now see.

Added by Andrew Middleton on 27 November 2012.

Community Fire Stations Andy? Accountability to Taxpayers? Having had a email off a certain ACFO I think it does not happen in a service near us!

Added by Gary Simpson on 29 November 2012.

You're right there Gary. I had to show my driving licence and passport to one jumped up W/C at my hometown station of Rhyl a couple of years ago.

Added by Andrew Middleton on 30 November 2012.

The worst that ever happened to me was when I was about fourteen (1958), trying to look through the window of the retained station in Bedale, Yorkshire, to better see their Austin ATV and its Dennis trailer pump. A local police inspector (no less!) came up and told me to "oppit", as he obviously thought I was a juvenile delinquent, bent on stealing their little red van!

Added by Rob Johnson on 30 November 2012.

Well Tony, apart from all the interesting comments, I have to say this is one magic photo of times gone by, I love the "light house" lamps and the Carter"? siren, somehow these sirens migrated to New Zealand many, many years ago about the same time or previous of your pic and were fitted to all the new St John Ambulance coming off the assembly line, mid front roof, and boy oh boy did they move the traffic aside!! Love your mention of hook ladders, what a test of a fireman's ability they were!!

Added by Pav on 01 December 2012.

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