Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with firetruck

What is the fire department doing?

backseatpilot — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:09:01 -0800

Why is the fire department outside my building? For the past week there's been a fire truck parked outside my building. It's hooked up to a fire plug and I've noticed water leaking off the truck, but the hose doesn't look like it's got water in it. A group of about 4 or 5 firemen have been hanging out with the truck the entire time it's been there, and they don't seem to be doing anything either. It seems like it's being attended 24 hours a day by different shifts.

So what the heck are they doing? I keep forgetting to ask when I walk by on my way to work.

Cherries and Blueberries

dead_ — Mon, 27 Feb 2006 08:30:28 -0800

How do emergency vehicles control traffic lights? I've heard that emergency vehicles can control traffic lights, and have plenty of anecdotal evidence confirming this--that they can switch the lights from red to green and so forth.

But how does it actually work?

Where can I find parts for a 1935 REO Fire Truck?

C17H19NO3 — Sun, 29 May 2005 12:16:29 -0800

Where can I find (and buy) parts for a 1935 Reo Speedwagon Fire Truck? The radiator cap was stolen from my department's Reo, and we are looking for a replacement. My google-fu failing me. Thanks in advance.