Small Town Fire Department

The town fire siren sounded triggering the next series of events which in turn led up to an event that is still talked about in this small town to this day. The volunteer firefighters responded with their usual vigor with the screeching of tires, the rendering of twisted metal, and the sound of broken glass along with cursing out anyone who dared to be in the way. Fortunately there were no serious accidents or run over pedestrians, at least not this time.

The rig was pulled out on the apron in front of the fire hall with the driver anxiously awaiting the arrival of enough firefighters to man the truck. After a lot of pushing and shoving and some threats there were two men in the cab and five on the tailboard of the truck. (Note, ridding on the tailboard of a fire truck is not allowed today but it was common practice back in the day) The driver gave the signal and roared off in the general direction of the fire, with all five firefighters hanging on to the grab bar for all they were worth. As the truck slowed to clear an intersection one of the firefighters loosened his grip on the grab bar and at that moment in time the driver put the accelerator to the floor. The results were, as they say, predictable, and the firefighter was somersaulted off the rear of the truck, landing in the street in a heap. Thanks to the good graces of the God of the firefighters he suffered no injuries, or should I say no physical ones. The firefighter did suffer a huge injury to his personal dignity, but nothing compared to what was to come. The firefighter took off on the dead run in pursuit of the truck in a vain effort to regain his place with the rest of the crew. This show was being watched by the assembled town folk who will always be on hand when they hear the town fire siren go off, it's somewhat of a tradition in small towns across America. As the firefighter ran after the truck the driver looked in the mirror and noticed him running to catch up and being a good person he slammed on the brakes. This was at the Peirce time that the firefighter had made a final running leap for the truck which was now at a dead stop. The ensuing splat of flesh against the metal rear end of the truck could be heard for blocks as the firefighter came to a stop and kind of slithered down to the street. The other firefighters lifted him up and away they went off to whatever it was they were going to in the first place, followed by a resounding cheer and roaring laughter from the assembled town folk. This incident remains a topic of discussion to this day.