The ’38 LaFrance was my father’s favorite truck when he was a member of the fire department, and was the in memorium engine for his last ride to the fire department a year and seven days ago. Today, on the first anniversary of his passing, take a moment to admire the form-follows-function design of a fire engine and think of the men and women who depend on, operate and maintain the equipment for our safety and collective benefit. With each emergency response, a little more of each firefighter’s spirit woven into the chrome, steel, rubber and aluminum of a truck. A fire truck serves a functional purpose, but it is also a rolling reminder of what it means to serve the citizenry in times of unimaginable need, and the men, women and families who choose to do so at a moment’s notice.
This photo of the 1938 American LaFrance fire truck was captured at 2015 North Dakota State Fire Convention. The pumper is operated and maintained by the Jamestown Fire Department in Jamestown, ND. The original image can be found within my Highlights album on Flickr.
