FIRE STATION 42

 

Station 42 was the first fire station I visited.   The landscape

surrounding the station is remarkable in its' variation.   The

flat land around the station is an older country neighborhood

often with cabin or bungalow-type small homes with huge

well-established trees.    Johnson Creek divides this area from

a small mountain community of generally large newer homes

where there are new or young trees.   The streets in the flats

are grid-like and in the hills the streets are windy.   The contrasts inspired a storybook, playful, folk art scenario.

 

I wanted to include some history of the fire station, so the fact of old east county district ten seemed very important also in the recent past the flooding of Johnson Creek, and an image of fire-fighters sand-bagging along the bank is a part of the central image.   The first thing I noticed in the day room was a black velvet painting of Elvis, so I included him, (his driver's license photo) as a humorous element to the painting, sense of humor being such an important element to the daily life of a fire-fighter.   I was told that the neighborhood donated exercise equipment to the fire station and fire fighters at station 42 were both pleased with and proud of their exercise equipment.  

 

I tried to work out each time I did a ride-along and enjoyed using the exercise equipment.   I realized how much a part of their lives staying fit is and how important it can be in the course of daily calls therefore physical strength is a dynamic issue among fire fighters.

 

There are many foster care facilities in this area that used to be called east county.   I visited a variety of home care and professional care residencies during my ride-along.   This part of the 911-call system was news to me.   I was quite taken by the compassion the fire fighters continuously showed their clients and the general even-tempered good humor, which continuously prevailed and set the tone for the day.