Young Group of Buffs Aids Interest in Old Apparatus
We’ve mentioned the work of SPAAMFAA (Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America) in promoting interest in the equipment of yesterday. A smaller, much newer group, just organized in 1975, also stresses that interest. This is the Union Historical Fire Society, the 143 members of which are scattered around eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. About every other month the group visits an apparatus factory—two of them in 1977—or a fire museum.
According to member Jack Robrecht of Philadelphia, “We also were one of the four sponsors for the Five State Firemen’s Parade at Allentown, Pa., on August 6, 1977…. one of the biggest parades in this area.
Old apparatus located
“We published an Antique Fire Apparatus Locator for this area, that lists about 400 pieces of antique motor, steam, and hand engines; ladder trucks; hose carriages, and carts; it has been almost sold out.
“At the muster in Flourtown, Pa., in September, we had 17 pieces competing for prizes and also prizes for the children for filling a barrel with a booster hose.”
Robrecht is recognized as one of the nation’s leading fire historians. In 1972 he co-authored the “Illustrated Handbook of Fire Apparatus,” emphasizing 19th century equipment. An active member of the Delaware Valley Fire Buffs since that club’s 1951 founding, Jack served many years with the Reserve Fire Force and OCD in Philadelphia, attending numerous fire schools and helping fight many a big blaze. His private archives include lists of company numbers and apparatus designations in more than 300 cities. He is historian of the recently opened Philadelphia Fire Department Museum, where he spends hours weekly setting up permanent records of local apparatus and fires from 1870 down to the present. His interest in the past, especially concerning apparatus, made him a natural to become active in the Union Historical Society.
Another new group, just getting off the ground with a dozen members, is the Greater Miami Code One Association, serving Metro Dade County and half a dozen communities in the Miami area. This club is unique in one respect—it was formed at the specific request of the Dade County Fire Officers Association. Older buff groups often had to overcome fire service opposition to get started. For example, back in 1912 when one of the nation’s oldest clubs was launched on the East Coast, the fire commissioner reluctantly said, “I cannot stop you gentlemen from forming an organization.” Putting it more strongly, the fire chief added, “There are too many damn sidewalk engineers now!”
But how times have changed! Organized buffing has proven its worth in that city and others. Realizing the great value of having these “sidewalk engineers” on their side, the Dade County chiefs asked a Coral Gables photographer and fire fan, Bob Milnes, to try to get a club going. The Rev. William Walker, Miami Fire Department chaplain, was also a strong backer. Miami Fire Chief Don Hickman has given the Code One Association space in the fire college as a temporary meeting place. The chiefs association even elected Milnes to membership in their organization.
Group to operate canteen
What will the group do in return? Says Milnes, “Our first order of business is to establish and operate a canteen service. Our goals also include establishing a fire museum for the south Florida area, presentation of a medal of valor to an area fireman on an an annual basis, promoting public relations… and anything else that we can do to help the fire service down here.”
Whatever the activity in which a buff group may specialize, members retain a broad interest in all aspects of fire protection. And as we’ve remarked before, the usefulness of such people to the fire service may crop up in unexpected ways. Take for example the late Willard Heath, charter past-president of the Extra Alarm Association in Minneapolis, who died in 1977. Having chased the engines since he was a toddler, Willard eventually joined the Civil Defense Fire Reserve, becoming its chief officer. In 1970, a citizens advisory committee was charged with making recommendations about fire station locations, company manning, and apparatus needs for the city—and Heath became its chairman. The potential help to the fire service of a friend in such a position can well be imagined.
How about putting such “sidewalk engineers” to work in your area?
