What is the fire department doing?

September 27, 2007 8:09 AM

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.

posted by backseatpilot to Grab Bag (4 answers total)

It's most likely a fire detail related to nearby construction work that, at least in somebody's mind, could cause a sudden fire at any time.
posted by backupjesus at 8:18 AM on September 27, 2007

I suggest you go outside and ask them, it might be interesting.
posted by BobbyDigital at 8:18 AM on September 27, 2007

Let's try to figure this out logically.

The truck isn't doing anything. The hose is connected but empty. The guys are not doing anything. They are there 24 hours a day in different shifts.

Seems to me like they're standing by in case something suddenly happens. Any construction projects around?

Alternatively you could just ask them directly, it's sure to be faster, more accurate and less complicated than asking a bunch of strangers online.
posted by splice at 8:44 AM on September 27, 2007

It's not the fire department. They are undercover agents doing a stakeout.
posted by JJ86 at 11:49 AM on September 27, 2007