News
Hand In Hand Restoration Facilities Damaged by Fire
Ken Soderbeck's well know Hand In Hand Resoration Facilities in Jackson MI was heavily destroyed in a fire on the morning of Wednesday, April 14th. The upper level of the facilities was completely destroyed and the spriklered lower level was damaged when an upper room collapsed. Thos who have visited the shop know the tremendous loss of priceless material. The two steamers and the hose cart in the lower level are reported to be in good shape. Friends have joined the family to show their support in every way possible.
Link to news article: Antique fire equipment, building destroyed in early morning blaze in Jackson County
Update:
Ken and Aggie are doing remarkably well. The shock is beginning to wear off, and the hard task of cleaning and rebuilding has begun. This is truly the worst nightmare for anyone to imagine, and the master fire apparatus restorer/preservationist could use our support! A special fund has been established to help Ken get back in business, and a website has been created to accept donations online and provide periodic updates.
http://sites.google.com/site/handinhandrestorationfund/
(Credit: J. Scott Park, Jackson Citizen Patriot)
Steve Cassias
Steve Cassias passed away Sunday, January 3rd after a long bout with cancer. He will be remembered fondly by the "old-timers" as he was a fixture in the fire service for many years. He was an Assistant Chief with Southside Place and an Assistant Chief with the Houston Volunteers and taught fire school at Harris County Field Day for many years. In earlier years he was a paid fireman for Bellaire and owned a '51 Mack (ex-Bellaire) pumper. In 1975, Steve was one of the founding members of America '76 Hose Comany which became the first incarnation of the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of SPAAMFAA.
Quotes Tom McDonald: "Steve was a born teacher. He taught me plenty back then--the old-school way which was and still is the right way. In fact, he and his wife taught CPR for years in Bellaire largely to a room full of "I-don't-cares." But, you know, when the class was over, those students knew what they were doing and did care. You could always tell Steve wanted his students to understand and learn, not just go through the motions. He was one of a kind"
Steve's funeral was held on Wednesday, January 6th at 11 AM at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 8601 Chimney Rock (Chimney Rock at Beachnut). In lieu of flowers, donations made to the family would be greatly appreciated. Chuck Buschardt took Steve for his last ride on the B Model Mack. Photos from the funeral can be seen in the Photo Gallery Section.
Texas Gulf Coast SPAAMFAA Member featured in Houston Chronicle's InMotion Section
Clinton and Teresa Johnson have now joined the ranks of some of the most public people in Houston by having a front-page article (ok, it was an inner section of the paper!) entirely dedicated to their fire-truck passion. With little advance notice, the proverbial “knock on the door” came from Heidi Van Horne, author/editor of the Houston Chronicle’s InMotion Section. She was seeking to fill a December 24th Christmas eve special featuring local fire truck collectors. What’s more Christmas than Santa on a fire engine? Heidi features the latest customs, hot rods, and cool classics every Thursday. A staple at parades and events throughout Houston, Kingwood, and Humble, the Johnson’s 1948 Mack ex-Bellaire Fire Department was featured. The Mack served Bellaire until 1969 when it was sold at auction. It passed through several owners and was later rescued from a junk yard - like so many others - by Chuck Buschardt. After a short stint as a brush fire truck/reserve pumper, it fell into the Johnson’s hands in 2004 who completed the restoration achieving its current appearance. Their 1961 American LaFrance ladder truck made a cameo appearance. The Texas Gulf Coast Chapter would like to thank the Chronicle Staff and Heidi Van Horne for running the article featuring one of its most dedicated and faithful member families.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/cars/classiccars/6784968.html
Texas Gulf Coast Chapter participates in East Texas Historical Fire Society (Tyler TX) 24th Annual Muster
Fourteen members and family from the The Texas Gulf Chapter SPAAMFAA participated in the East Texas Historical Fire Society Muster held Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24. The highlight of the event was drafting and pumping activities at beautiful Lake Palestine. Tim Treadway won both Best of Show and Longest Distance for his pair of 1981 CF Macks - 1000 GPM pumper and 75' Aerial Scope.
Deer Park Fire Prevention Parade
Congratulations to Texas Gulf Coast SPAAMFAA for being recipient of the People's Choice Award in the Deer Park Fire Prevention Parade for their 1948 American LaFrance entry. The parade was held on October 3rd to initiate Fire Prevention Week. The award was truly a people's choice as ballots were supplied to parade viewers with instructions for how to vote for their favorite vehicle. Attending the truck in the parade were Jim and Cheryl McGee, who are shown below receiving the award during the closing ceremonies.
Tim Treadway's new Mack Aerialscope
Tim Treadway and I picked up his new 1981 Mack Aerialscope in Madison, New Jersey on August 27, 2009. Tim flew back and I drove the truck to its new home in Humble. A flat tire on the rear was the only significant problem we had. The four and ½ day trip back was an adventure but we were glad to get home. Top speed was 51 miles per hour. Madison NJ was very interesting and we got a tour of their new fire station. It was a gem and about the size of a football field. Their fire hall/meeting room is under ground in a hole they call a basement, whatever that is. It didn’t have no snakes or water in it so it was pretty neat, but I knew I wasn’t in Texas no more. Their new station is part of a new Emergency Services Facility they share with the police department. The Fire Fighters said that was the only bad part about the new facility, they were too close to the cop’s and did not really like associating with them. Guess things are the same everywhere. Madison is a quaint old New England town just a stones throw from New York City. Everyone we met was super nice but they thought I talked funny. Tim fit right in, being a transplanted Yankee and all. Amazingly it was winter there. We got off the plane and it was 65 degrees at 11:00 AM, just like December here. I looked for Santa Clause but I guess he wasn’t around. The Madison fire fighters were worried about the cab of the Mack being hot on such a long trip. I really couldn’t figure how, it being winter and all, but I appreciated their concern. Anyway it was a good trip and now Tim has the only Aerialscope in Texas (we think). Below are some pictures of Madison and a rookie ladder practices class we helped Crosby and Atascocita FD with Saturday.
Clinton Johnson
Bar-B-Que
Old fire trucks don't die, they just get reincarnated! What creative things can be done to a retired fire engine headed to the crusher? Gregory Barilleaux and Andre' Pellerin of Breaux Bridge LA invested hundreds of hours - and not to mention dollars - to convert this 1939 Peter Pirsch Hose Body into one of the most unique cookers this side of the Mississippi. All of the fire equipment and lights used on the fire truck are period specific . "A lot of hard work and long hours went into this project but the compliments are well worth it," states Greg. If you'd like to use the pit, Andre' and Greg are open to loners. Be aware that this baby takes a heavy-duty truck to pull. If you'd like one of your own, they'd also be willing to help you. Don't ask to buy this one, though - several have already and the answer remains "No". Interested? Contact the webmaster for details about how to reach Greg and Andre'. Hope to see you a future Texas Gulf Coast Chapter BBQ - where's the beef! Thanks for looking.
6th Annual Pumpnic
The 2009 6th Annual Moonshine Hill Involuntary Fire Department Pumpnic was again a resounding success. Everyone who is anyone was there. The weather cooperated beautifully which was to be expected, Moonshine Hill being the garden spot of the San Jacinto River Basin and all. Water was successfully circulated throughout brine pit #8 by the visiting apparatuses. The only down side to the day being the alligators state of panic as a result a the noise. The beaver have returned though; and do not seem any worse for wear. We even noticed a yellow duckie adorning one of the beaver houses on the other side of the pond. I hope the Beautification Committee noticed the upgrade. This was an amazing year with no one spending all nighters nursing broke trucks home. We probably need to give more awards next year, I’m not sure if everybody got one. All the local s are already looking forward to next years event and were sure glad to see everyone again this year. Thanks again to Harvey Trigg for the food and condiments, Bill for the fine continuous education program, Chuck for the truck, and everyone for bringing their smiling faces, it was a blast. Until next time, keep your powder dry, your shoes tied and the politicians out of yur pockets.
Clinton Johnson
Moonshine Hill IFD