Have you ever called 911 because of a fire? Watching the valiant firefighters on TV, it's hard to thank them for their courage in running to put out a fire.
As there should be, firefighter museums are in many parts of the country. This includes one founded in 1983 by a group of Columbus, Ohio Firefighters who wanted to preserve firefighting history. There is also a museum in Los Angeles, to name a couple.
Of course, water is important but the apparatus used to deliver it is essential too. Long before there were super scoopers and airplanes to dump thousands of gallons of water into a blaze, there was the fire truck. Many of the firefighter museums have examples of vintage trucks.
Thomas Lote built the first American-made fire engine in 1743. The first trucks were hand-drawn pumpers. They were called hand tubs and were manually powered and the water was supplied by a bucket brigade dumping it into a tub (cistern) where the pump had a permanent intake pipe.
According to the LA Museum, in the 1860s a hand-drawn pumper required several powerful men to pull it to the fire, and then they needed Twenty-four or more people to operate the seesaw-type pump levers. The continuous pump action is exhausting and a long-term operation would require relays of people to provide relief and keep a steady stream of water flowing.
In 1903 the steam pumper was used. There is a steam pumper in the Los Angeles Museum. The Sacramento, California Fire Department purchased it first. Still, horse-drawn but steam-powered, they were put in a fire in the coal box to heat the water in the boiler, thus producing steam. They were able to operate it under steam pressure.
My Country Heart Sierra Creek Series Book 4 is my ode to today’s firefighters, with many thanks.
Review- "If you love small towns, second chances, and real-to-life characters, the Sierra Creek Series is for you! It's the perfect feel-good read. The Sierra Creek Series, Book 4 is My Country Heart by Reggi Allder."
Buy link My Country Heart.
There are two new residents in the small town of Sierra Creek. They are at a crossroads in their lives. Each has a goal and they search for answers to direct them toward their separate futures.
Chance Williams is the town's new fire chief. Recovering from an injury sustained in a disastrous fire, should he remain on the job in the small town or return to his Bay Area home to find a new career?
A jewelry designer and a firefighter have little in common. Still, forced to live in close quarters, will sparks fly?
The engaging characters in the other Sierra Creek books return. See how Amy, Vanna, Sophie, and their partners are doing. Also, a mystery is added in book 4. If you want book one of the Sierra Creek Series, it is Her Country Heart.
11 comments:
Firefighting has come a long way! Great post, Reggi.
Didn't mean to post anonymously lol. That was me!!
Interesting post. We have a restored 1888 hose cart in our town's little Firehouse museum. Also have nephew who is Fire Chief in Juneau, so nice to see you feature and honor firefighters in your story.
Hi Kristy, thank you for both posts. Glad you liked it. :) Firefighting has definitely come a long way!
Hi Gini, it's wonderful that you have restored the hose cart. And thank you to your nephew for the work he does!
Hi Reggi, Great post. I've always been interested in fire engines, their present and past. I love your book series, My Country Heart is my favourite.
Hi Sylvie, thanks for stopping by. I'm so pleased that you like my books! Many thanks!! :)
It must have been a nightmare to fight a fire in the early days! Great post, Reggi. I'm grateful for all first responders They are incredibly brave.
Great blog, really enjoyed reading about old time firefighters and fire engines.
Jen
Hi Jacquie, yes, it's so true. I'm grateful for the first responders too. Thanks for stopping by!! :)
Thank you, Jen. Glad you liked the post! :)
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