Elliott Island is a remote community along the Chesapeake Bay in rural eastern shore Maryland. They have this 1971 Seagrave fire engine painted bright yellow-orange.
Picture added on 07 September 2008
Comments:
They just seem to have gone completely overboard with lighting and gadgets, looks like something you'd expect to see in the Philipines. Surely they couldn't operate all this equipment at the one time, , , , ? Am wondering if the two reels contain hose or lighting cable as they appear very small.
Pavel, those are "Booster" lines. Hose used to extinguish brush fires or other natural cover fires. Every fire company sets up their engines differently, they have one on each side for quick access no matter what side of the engine the fire is. And you're right, lots of emergency warning lighting including a pin-wheel!
Definitely, if you can't see this rig coming - you will get declared Legally Blind, and prohibited from driving a motor-vehicle. Must be quite a load on the truck's electrics, keeping all these things going.
Incidentally, the pin-wheel lights on front resemble the old "Roto Ray" system of by-gone days. And, Pavel, look - Grannie Seats, with half-doors, for the crew.
Definitely, a remarkable rig. Regards, from Canada, Pat_R-B
C Lucas, you are obviously a gentleman with regard the manner you answered my observations, thank you. Pat R-B, until now I had no idea regards the grannie half-doors too, I knew there was something extra special about this apparatus that only a volunteer Department could come up with. Well done Elliott Island!!
Looks like Elliott Island is a volunteer department on a budget, trying to 'update' the capability of their engine. Unfortunately, these upgrades sometimes detract from the aesthetics of the original apparatus. This '71 Seagrave would make a beautiful parade piece, if Elliott Island could raise enough money to replace it.
Added by Superdave on 22 March 2009.
have you got a fobia about lights on fire engines pavel ?.
Added by Michael Jones on 22 March 2009.
No Michael, Pavs a purist like lots of us, paint it green and it could be used as a Christmas tree. Overkill is the word that springs to mind!
Michael, Johns correct, and yes you are probably correct in your observations, I do have a fobia about crappy light fittings on fire appliances, and overkills such as this,,,, well I'd be asking why my donated $'s were not better spent on life-saving equipment instead of wasted on this crap,,
Michael, over the pond and elsewhere fire engines are well equipped for medical emergencies of all kinds. We haven't got the luxury of expecting all emergency services to arrive at the same time. In fact the difference in priorities between the States and elsewhere never ceases to amaze me. I think its mainly down to the culture of what's expected of different fire services around the world.
Wow lights sure are a topic of conversation. I'm not sure the whole history of this unit, it's possible EI bought is second hand from over the bridge. PG and Montgomery Counties especially like the pin-wheels and extra warning lights, maybe it came from there already like this. It's all you can do to get driver's to notice you and yield these days. As a career and volunteer Firefighter who deals with driving these trucks and the idiots whom we share the road with, my opinion is you can't have enough lights.
Thanks Mr Lucas, interesting and valid point about other drivers, they seem to be the same the world over. However, many of us like to see the lines of a machine uncluttered by paraphernalia. Also, on an operational point, the electrical loading must be excessive? If its a 24 volt system it seems excessive.
Usually not a problem with electrical loading. Entirely separate batteries and systems just to handle lights and sirens. Even on older rigs. In fact like everything else, they don't make 'em like they used to. At one of my fire stations the electrical system on our 1984 engine out-performs that of the 2001 engine. Two years ago we installed all new red and white emergency lights plus added new lights on the '84 using the same old power supply. No problems! Back then pride was the name of the game, now it's $$$$$.
Elliott's island is the most remote waterman's town in MD. It is surrounded by hundred's of miles of marsh. The folks who live there are a hardy,inventive, independent sort and surely know exactly what their fire engine needs and how to hook it up.
This engine is being replaced by West Side's 1979 Tanker which had been Tanker 1207. Also Elliott Island has a brand new Ford Brush truck. I'll post photos when I get them.
This unit was originally Deep Red, serving as Leonardtown Engine 17. Later it went to Bay District Engine 92, where it was rehabbed, which accounts for the different style of light bezels and repainted Chrome Yellow and White. It left St.Marys County all decked out with two Mars Lights and a set of RotoRays. As stated above, the more lights the better in Southern Maryland. The RotoRay craze had migrated north as far as Lancaster and York Counties in PA
Added by Pavel on 07 September 2008.