In the 1950's, the volunteer fire departments of the upper East coast participated in tournaments meant to judge the skill and creativity of the fire departments of the area. From what I can tell, the competition was pretty simple - haul ass from poi... <BR><BR>To read the rest of this blog entry from The Jalopy Journal, click here.
Ryan, didn't they have those events on TV? I think I remember seeing them on shows like ABC's Wide World of Sports. I wonder if there are any video archives on them. I also remember lots of custom fab'd, hot rodded early Ford "fire trucks" in the competition. Gary
I remember watching that on Wide World of Sports also. The event I remember best was one where the truck would go from a standing start and haul ass for a short distance. Then, while the truck was still slowing down a team of guys would jump off the truck with a ladder, about 20 foot tall. They'd plant the ladder and while it was still swinging up, a guy would be climbing it. He'd get to the top and ring a bell to stop the clock. It was like gymnastics and rodeo meet the Keystone Kops.
Some cool machinery in this one. Front halves of Henry J, blown 40 PU, 33 Willys, 55 Chevy etc. I wish I could find the B&W 50's footage on youtube of the Model A roadster with the guys hanging off the back.
cool article and footage. i'm gonna show this to my firefighter buddy. he's a rookie but i admire his courage
this one looks like Paradise Rd. lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itg6zfof-AA&feature=player_embedded
I am pretty sure they still have them I used to make headers for Central Islips B rigg, and build the motors for Brentwoods, B riggs were full size trucks, c riggs were what ever you could dream up, light and really fast I have seen early corvettes elcamino's vegas converted to c riggs
This all started in Long Island when the local fire houses started busting balls about who's faster, getting to the fires, getting up the ladders, buckets, everything.It spread throughout NY, there are northern,western,LI, teams.Unfortunalty its starting to die out over here in the western parts due to insurance "issues".But if you ever want to see some hardcore racing wait until the "States" are held in Long Island, and make a day of it, its awsome.I used to be a nozzleman for the Motor/Pump compatition.I weighed 280lbs, would run up to the line and get down on my knees, then another 280lb guy would jump on the hose behind me followed by a 180lb guy behind him laying on the hose, and it was nothing for the pressure in the hose to blow you back about 4 feet while you're trying to hit the target.If you watch the last second of this team you'll see the guy getting thrown off the hose, but hey he did break the record. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjSCwF3rcNs here's a link to the NYS website for the classic stuff http://www.fdarchive.com/memories/index.htm
most former or now new yorkers have or are a member of a drill team......im a retired rinky dink NBFD chime in
Now that could make drag racing fun again. Imagine trying to hold on to the back of the John Force car at about 300mph?
Notice on the backward vette the driver is wearing the only helmet in sight! Nice to see this is still going on, and as of yet the safety Police haven't ruined it. Pretty crazy group.
I raced with the Hempstead Flukes. F.D racing is still in full swing and more popular then ever with new teams being added yearly.
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