A Syttende Mai ride on a fire truck

By Georgie Bright Kunkel

Aspiring to drive a fire truck has never gone out of style. That childhood dream of turning the big wheel without power steering is being experienced by driver members of the Last Resort Fire Department where rigs from bygone days are kept in fine repair and antique fire extinguishers polished to a sparkling copper glow. Although they are not in regular fire-fighting service, volunteers are trained in ladder service and pumping water if ever called upon in an emergency.

How did I learn about all this? Charlene Hibbert Quan, who grew up with our children, spent her youth watching out the window of the family home on 35th and Trenton whenever she heard the fire siren. She knew that the second truck would carry her own father and she could run out to wave at him. Much later when she volunteered to help at Last Resort, lo and behold, there was the 1950 Kenworth Ladder Eleven truck that her father had ridden on. She was disappointed that she didn't have the strength to turn the wheel as a driver trainee, but she is an associate member attending planning meetings, riding in parades, and being there to help in any way she can.

She had waved to my husband and me from the antique fire truck in the Burien 4th of July Parade several years ago and once more she was planning to ride, this time in the Norwegian Constitution Day Parade in Ballard. I was asked if I wanted to ride with her and without hesitation I said I would. That is because I am like an inchworm, reaching forward into the future without realizing what it will take to really get there successfully. Clanging bells and loud motor sounds and heavy exhaust and an uncomfortable antique front seat were overcome by the excitement of being part of a home-town parade where everyone could break out their Norwegian headdresses.

Two years ago in the 4th of July parade in my home town area I had ridden in a vintage car throwing treats to the children along the route - but a fire engine - what excitement would that be! I was exhilarated as we rode along streets lined with parade watchers of all ages. I even practiced the Beauty Queen wave so that all the little ones oohing at the big red truck would be greeted by this grandma in her white bowler hat and wide smile.

As I sat next to driver Bob Carson, a 15 year veteran driver, I remarked, "Wish I had brought treats to throw to the children." Bob explained that no one was allowed to entice children into the path of a fire truck. I understood this when I waved to a toddler on the route and without any warning this little one started walking toward us from the curb, luckily rescued by her mother.

The weather cooperated until we turned the corner, accessing the breeze from Puget Sound and my fake straw hat with the wide brim sailed off my head as I screeched, "Stop. My hat blew off." Now stopping a firetruck on a dime is not an option but I was calmed down when Bob shouted, "Your hat landed in the back of the truck." Then he calmly pulled the big rig over to a stop and retrieved it for me.

Soon we were driving back to the station past the aerial truck on the sidelines where Galen Thomaier had hoisted the Norwegian flag for the occasion. He and his father before him were pioneers in preserving these fire engines from the past. Little did he know that the gang was preparing a 61st birthday party for him in the loft above the space where each truck would be skillfully backed in after the parade.

There I met the Reed family - Dick and Page Reed, both drivers, and their son Willis, soon to turn 14 with two years left before he can hopefully qualify as a driver. Once a week his sister Heather joins the family along with other volunteers who help maintain these historic fire engines.

Just what supports this non-profit venture? Membership dues, donations and charging for sending the red giants to birthday parties, weddings and even funerals of fire fighters. For $15 a year anyone could become a supporting member. If you just want to watch these giant machines in action, come to the West Seattle Parade on July 21st or the Seafair Parade. To find out more about viewing these antique engines at the Last Resort Fire Department call 783-4474. Be warned. You might get hooked into volunteering when you see these old but well kept antiques beckoning to you from the past.

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer and speaker who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net or 935-8663.