Chief Bob - "The Roadhouse Fire"

“It was fortunate for both of us – as a department and for me personally – because if I would’ve pulled up with just 500 gallons of water and a 500-gallon pump, and one single 21⁄2” supply line on the only hydrant that was available, we probably would’ve burned that building down.” – Chief Bob

In the heat of the moment, it’s critical that those in the fire service make sound, strategic decisions and then execute them flawlessly. Yet sometimes, it’s the choices made well before a call is received that can truly make all the difference. With three of his township’s four stations participating in a demonstration for the insurance service office (ISO) rating, Bob is left with the oldest engine in the area to run all fire and EMS calls. His request for an additional engine from a neighboring town is reluctantly granted by his chief, but neither of them has any idea how Bob’s foresight will impact his crew's ability to save an old three-story balloon frame tavern from complete destruction.

Join former firefighter/paramedic and host Phil Klein as he sits down with Chief Bob who shares a story out of his collection from a 40-year career in the fire service. Bob vividly details his familial ties to the fire service, the parade ride in a 1918 Ahrens-Fox fire engine that cemented his career aspirations at the age of six, and the unforeseen complications that accompanied the burning of Bevis Tavern.

Are you a first responder who has a story from the road you’d like to share? Email [email protected], and you could be featured in an upcoming episode.

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