Article Contributed on: 6/22/2009 11:58:58 AM
The 24th annual Fire Truck Parade & Muster sparked a day of community enjoyment and education June 20.
The parade began in the morning at Littleton High School, 199 E. Littleton Blvd., and wound its way through downtown Littleton before coming to a halt at Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Drive.
The muster was hosted by Littleton Fire Rescue and
presented by Ralph Schomp Automotive in partnership with Mile High Hook & Ladder, an all-volunteer antique fire truck club.
In addition to fire truck tours and rides, community members could take a spin in a soapbox car, spray fire hoses, be a part of the bucket brigade, practice using a fire extinguisher and dress in firefighter clothing.
But it wasn't all fun and games, the fire muster also provided educational demonstrations such as putting out car fires and how patients are loaded into Air Life helicopters.
"Car accidents can be very dangerous," said Alex Patterson, 7, of Littleton about what he learned at the event.
This year wasn't Patterson's first at the fire muster. His mother, Amy Ollivier, of Littleton, has brought her kids to the event in past years.
"I think it's best for the kids to come out and really get an appreciation for what the firefighters do in our community," Ollivier said.
Patterson also added that the event was fun because "you get to see a bunch of new, cool fire trucks."
In addition to the new, was also the old.
Mile High Hook & Ladder members had vintage and restored trucks on display.
Rusty LeNeve, of Longmont, drove his 1950 American LaFrance 700 series down for the event.
"It's the one that started it all," LeNeve said.
LeNeve said many modern fire trucks are modeled after rigs like his.
What makes his truck extra special, is that it's the same exact truck LeNeve first served on during his 32 years with the Longmont Fire Department.
The truck was in service from 1950 to 1984, did another four or five years of duty in Dumont, was retired and forgotten - eventually spending four years buried in a mountain slide.
When it was found, LeNeve was put in contact with the owner. He helped in the restoration process and eventually purchased the truck, which is still fully functional.
Nowdays, the truck is used for education purposes, parades and will even do its first wedding this fall.
"Fire trucks are like a human being to firefighters," LeNeve said. "They have to live."