Pole Position

[Lucky 13]

Brass firemen's fixture may be sliding into obscurity. This article is written on the fire poles located in my department's Headquarters Station.

In firehouses all across America, one just expects to see certain things. Fire engines, for sure. Dalmatians, maybe. And the tall, brass poles extending from the floor through the ceiling that have been around since before the turn of the century.

Full story and video here.

[stripes683]

It's funny but every time we have visitors at the firehouse, one of the first things they ask is; "Where's the pole?". Some seem disappointed when we tell them that we don't have one and that we use the stairs.

[Lucky 13]

Aye. I get the same thing when people visit my station out in the county.

[stripes683]

It's just as well. I'd probably end up hurting myself anyway.

[Daywalker]

I find it hilarious how people ask about it when they do station visits because our firehouse is very small and clearly 1 story.

[fireball]

interesting article,with some dates .great video too.thanks for sharing!

[Amy_Jo]

I want a Pole in my FD, we have an upstairs so we need a pole!

[LdrClmr]

yeah Pols can be fun!

[cwl3gemt]

Originally Posted by LdrClmr

yeah Pols can be fun!

wrong pol dumbass.

[utfd701]

Originally Posted by Amy_Jo

I want a Pole in my FD, we have an upstairs so we need a pole!

This ougth to suit your needs Amy

Pole

[Lucky 13]

Thank the good Lord I wasn't drinking anything. Otherwise I'd be cleaning up my office right now.

[Daywalker]

Originally Posted by utfd701

This ougth to suit your needs Amy

Pole

Don't forget to wear the proper PPE

[CaliSmokeCrew]

Originally Posted by LdrClmr

yeah Pols can be fun!

………. YES we are!

[CaliSmokeCrew]

I am not at a station anymore. But, I do have fond memories of ‘the pole’ (which we referred to as the “expressway”) at our station from when I was on with UFFW. It was where one could stage firehouse-climbing races, dangle several rookies from it (until caught) and use it as a strategic launching pad in water fights! (… oh, like you people never did any of that… or thought about it.)

It’s sad, to see and hear that they may become the thing of the past as cities build one-story firehouses and update older firehouses to bring them up to current building codes. While other tools of the trade in the past like wooden ladders and horse-drawn engines have been updated and improved over the decades, this awesome brass delivery system remains the fastest way down for us men/women and is certainly a striking emblem of firefighting.

[LdrClmr]

Yes Joel I know how much you miss harnessing up the ponies and grabbing the leather buckets to go to a call! bwahahahahaha!

[Amy_Jo]

SO not what i meant when i was talking about the pole!!!!!!!

[CaliSmokeCrew]

Originally Posted by cwl3gemt

wrong pol dumbass.

..........no, she's actually using her brain on this one for a change. She's thinking smart! She's correct!

[LdrClmr]

what do ya mean FOR A CHANGE! Listen you ... I will have you know that your brother is NOT the only one whos nickname can be "YOU DUMB F**KUVA POLLOCK!" it CAN also apply to yourself as well!

[CaliSmokeCrew]

Originally Posted by LdrClmr

what do ya mean FOR A CHANGE! Listen you ... I will have you know that your brother is NOT the only one whos nickname can be "YOU DUMB F**KUVA POLLOCK!" it CAN also apply to yourself as well!

Feisty! You know Kim, this is not the place for you to display your affection for me. Shame on you. You’ll have everyone talking and that is how rumours get started… doesn’t matter either if I am the one that starts them either.

[94onair]

we also dont have a pole in our station i wish we did though. Good article though tommy, and good video too thanks for sharing.

Ps. this thread took a turn for the worse lol.