Rock Creek Fire Department

Truck's fully outfitted with sophisticated fire fighting equipment, circa 1950 ... a big hose and a ladder. There's also a platform across the back for extra firemen. The platform's made of knobby sheet metal, so they can get a good grip and not fall off when they go 'round corners really quickly.

It's on Bank Street at Brighton. It appears in local parades and the annual Maddison Street party.

Tonight it had a rather large utility trailer hitched on the back. The trailer appeared to contain the weekend garden clippings from every garden on Bank Street. I expect the guys at Public Works are quite excited when this pulls in with its haul.

Years ago I was tasked with finding an old fire engine for a shoot I was on. The director also wanted a "small monkey that will try a bunch of hats on" for the same production. I thought, "Oh, great, find a monkey that likes hats on demand. I think I'd rather leave right now and never come back". Found the monkey in twenty minutes. Fire truck took nearly a week and it was in Hamilton, didn't work very well, so we had to have it towed to Toronto and serviced enough that it would drive through a few shots. Rather pricey undertaking, it was. So, whenever I see this fire truck I feel a tiny bit anxious. I have to imagine firemen stood on the back, hanging on real tight ... that settles my nerves.