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Creative => Story-Telling => Topic started by: Tim_w on December 21, 2008, 17:51:36

Title: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Tim_w on December 21, 2008, 17:51:36
Hello  Everyone :),

As some of you may know Bill and myself organised an event about a month ago. Bill asked me if I would have some of his men over to take part in an advanced training scheme to teach his men how to use some of my new rescue tools. I had done this sort of thing before with Ben and had a great time, so I wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. This story follows on from Bill’s excellent two part send off story. There have been several delays at my end but I am now finally ready to share the first instalment. It took 270 pictures just to get to this stage alone, most of them being rejected in favour of the best shot’s. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I did making it.

After weeks of detailed planning my fire brigade was ready for Bill’s arrival. Everything had been catered for and there were several vehicles to take care of some special arrangements. It was also a good opportunity to test the airport security and my Police force. Bill and his men arrived as VIP’s and as such security on the day was tight. No chances were going to be taken with such a high status event. Unfortunately the local coach firm let us down at the last minute and we had to hire a bus instead. This was the only thing that didn’t go to plan…


Armed police stand guard at the end of the pick up point.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/ArmedPolice.jpg)

Armed 'police' stand guard at the end of the pick up point, near to the terminal entrance.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/TightSecurity.jpg)

One of the armed 'officers'
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/ArmedOfficer.jpg)

The bus waiting to pick up Bill and his men. Police are standing guard close by ready to form the escort.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/WaitingBus.jpg)

Bill and his men exit the terminal escorted by the head of airport security
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/ThisWayPleaseSir.jpg)

A 'cheeky chappy' known by the nick name 'Axe' waves at the armed 'officers'
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/CheekyChappy.jpg)

Bill meets Station Officer Gardner for the first time. SO Gardner is the Officer in charge of Station 23 where Bill and his men will be working
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/HelloBill.jpg)

A fire fighter invites Bill to board the bus as the rest of the men check in with SO Gardner.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/BoardTheBus.jpg)

The last man has been checked in and waits to board the bus
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/OneMore.jpg)

The signal is given and the bus is made ready to leave.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/OkReadyToGo.jpg)

"Ok driver you know the drill lets get out of here"
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/OkDriver.jpg)




Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Tim_w on December 21, 2008, 17:52:00
Within a matter of seconds the bus has turned round and the police cars have formed an escort
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/BusLeaves.jpg)

The convoy pull out on to the main road. Once the bus passes another police car will take its place at the rear of the convoy
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/OnToRoad.jpg)

A sneaky picture of the men on the bus[/b
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/BusFull.jpg)

The convoy dissapears into the distance under the sound of sirens and flashing lights.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/Convoy.jpg)
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Tim_w on December 21, 2008, 17:52:16
Once the dust has settled the next phase of the operation begin's. A low loader kindly supplied by TJW Demolitions backs up to collect Bill's kind gift to the local Fire Service.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/8WheelBacksIn.jpg)

The head of airport security discusses the transport operation now in progress
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/HeadPlanLoading.jpg)

Bill's kind gift. A brand new Snow Cat that will be used as a brush fire fighting vehicle at the local rural fire station. It will prove a very welcome addition to the fleet
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/PresentFromBill.jpg)

While this has been going on a very large collection of equipment boxes has emerged out of the goods terminal
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/PileOfEquipment.jpg)

What The ?
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/WhatThe.jpg)

A joke is shared and one of the fire fighters doubles over with laughter. I dont know what was going on but they seemed to find it funny
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/PrivateJoke.jpg)

The pain staking operation to load the equipment onto the truck begins
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/Load2.jpg)

The Snow Cat is carefully driven onto the low loader as the last items of equipment are being loaded onto the truck
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/EasyDoesIt.jpg)

(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/LastFew.jpg)

(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/Heavy.jpg)

Final checks have been made and both vehicles are ready to depart on their journey back to station 23.
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/NiceStack.jpg)

(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/TieDown.jpg)

Follow Me
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/FollowMe.jpg)

And with that both vehicles dissapear in a cloud of dust
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/Finish.jpg)
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Tim_w on December 21, 2008, 17:52:33
I don't have this much trouble when the Queen arrives
(http://i296.photobucket.com/albums/mm181/Tim_W_Photos/DontHaveQueen.jpg)

Thank you for taking the time to look at my pictures. I apologise for the picture heavy thread but i guess that's what a photo story is about, pictures :lol:. As i said earlier it took about 270 pictures to get to this stage alone and i scrapped some of the final pictures to cut things down a bit.
As this is an ongoing story there will be a few threads over Christmas and into the new year. I hope you enjoy the story's, its a great pleasure making them...

Kindest Regards  Tim :wave:
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on December 21, 2008, 22:22:01
Hello Tim  :wave:! EXCELLENT photo story as promised  :wow:! The details are fantastic, & the story line is "spot on"  :lol:! As you say about my photo stories there are so many fine details to be noticed! I pick up on something new every time I go back & look at the pictures again! Now I can't wait to see the next series  ;)! Your pictures are very clear too! Please keep up the excellent work!
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Richard on December 22, 2008, 02:05:16



I don't have this much trouble when the Queen arrives


The "Head of Airport Security" took the words right out of my mouth ...  :klickywink:

Excellent presentation, Tim! I must admit that I was a bit concerned when I saw all the armed police.

Is this now a common "greeting" for Americans visiting the UK? Or, only Bill's firefighters? ...  :lol:

Looking forward to your contnuation ...

Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Bill Blackhurst on December 22, 2008, 02:45:14
The "Head of Airport Security" took the words right out of my mouth ...  :klickywink:
Excellent presentation, Tim! I must admit that I was a bit concerned when I saw all the armed police.
Is this now a common "greeting" for Americans visiting the UK? Or, only Bill's firefighters? ...  :lol:

Richard, I think Tim was protecting his new Snow Cat ;), & rare discontinued parts from being hi jacked or stolen at the airport  :lol:! But the PCFD does feel privileged to be this protected  :)9!
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Gepetto on December 22, 2008, 06:01:10
Excellent job Tim! :wow: :wow: Your photos are so crisp and no need to worry about too many pictures, I love looking at all that equipment!

I wondered as Richard did about all the security but I guess everyone welcomes an opportunity to 'dry run' their procedures, even security. Thank you for going to all the trouble to provide us with these stories!



Gepetto
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Sylvia on December 22, 2008, 12:35:37

Super photos and an interesting story, Tim! :D

Your attention to detail and the little personal touches are always a delight. I'm curious about that joke the two firefighters were sharing. 8-)

Thanks for all the work you put into this, and also thanks to Bill for sending his men over. Great job! :)9
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: playmofire on December 22, 2008, 14:56:42
Great story, Tim, and excellent photos, but NEVER, NEVER, say how many photos you took!  Let the public think that what they see is what you took!   ;D

I'm intrigues by the white/very pale grey boxes in the stack of stuff being loaded onto the truck (and also very impressed with that truck having only having seen it in the catalogue before).
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Tim_w on December 22, 2008, 16:51:15
Hello Bill,

Thank you very much for the kind reply. I am glad you enjoyed the pictures! I was at a loss how to handle this part of the story :yup: ;D. I don't have any airport stuff and i haven't got a coach :shhhh: :lol:. I had to think long and hard about what i was going to do and how i could make it special. I guess this is why i went down the armed Police route. Thank you for the compliments on the picture quality. I let the camera and its macro function do the hard work. I haven't got a tripod so a very steady hand comes into play, tricky when your nose is running and you are shaking from the cold :lol: I guess i am used to it now though :lol:. Hopefully the next installment will be up by this evening !

Kindest Regards  Tim

Hello Richard,

Thank you for the kind reply. It was certainly a very busy day for airport security :lol:. It is usually the norm to see armed police patrolling our main airports. I have been at Heathrow on several occasions when an officer carrying an MP5 has walked past ;D. It was slightly different when Bill arrived though and there was more of a police presence :lol:. It was a very good training exercises in how to handle a large number of VIP's and acted as a show of strength for my small police force.

Kindest Regards  Tim

Hello Gepetto,

Thank you for the kind reply and for the compliments on my pictures. I had some help with the pictures but more will be revealed about that later :shhhh: :lol:. You were spot on with your theory about the security. It was an excellent opportunity to put into action some of the procedures in place for dealing with VIP's.

Kindest Regards  Tim

Hello Sylvia,

Thank you very much for your kind reply. I think the joke involved some very choice words about the weight of the hydrant and who was going to get it onto the truck. Whatever it was the two fire fighters found it funny :lol: ;D. I can assure you there will be plenty more pictures in the coming week's and just as many bad jokes :lol: ;D.

Kindest regards  Tim

Hello Gordon,

Thank you very much for your kind reply. I guess i should have kept that one a secret  :-[ ;D and on that note i wont be revealing today's grand total :lol: ;D. Actually it wasn't me that took the pictures ;) :lol: I had some help from a very special person who for now will remain nameless. Hopefully all will be revealed soon  :lol: ;).

Kindest Regards  Tim
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: playmofire on December 22, 2008, 19:21:28

Hello Gordon,

 Actually it wasn't me that took the pictures ;) :lol: I had some help from a very special person who for now will remain nameless. Hopefully all will be revealed soon  :lol: ;).

Kindest Regards  Tim [/b]
Hmmmmmmmmmmm, intriguing.
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Tim_w on December 23, 2008, 17:06:20
Hello Gordon,

All has now been revealed in the other thread ;D. I meant to say that the delivery truck is a very nice addition to any collection. I got hold of it for my Fire Service and one day it will be painted in suitable colours. The only trouble i might have is with the containers, due to the fact that the sides don't fold down properly when the legs are down. I am still undecided wether to go for a pod system of some sort. I also forgot to add that the equipment in the boxes was PCFD's personal kit, including SCBA sets and helmets. There was also a shipment of fire extinguishers, spare tools and the accessories for the Snow Cat. This is in our brigade workshops at the moment being fitted out.

Kindest Regards  Tim
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: playmofire on December 23, 2008, 18:29:17
Hello Gordon,

All has now been revealed in the other thread ;D. I meant to say that the delivery truck is a very nice addition to any collection. I got hold of it for my Fire Service and one day it will be painted in suitable colours. The only trouble i might have is with the containers, due to the fact that the sides don't fold down properly when the legs are down. I am still undecided wether to go for a pod system of some sort. I also forgot to add that the equipment in the boxes was PCFD's personal kit, including SCBA sets and helmets. There was also a shipment of fire extinguishers, spare tools and the accessories for the Snow Cat. This is in our brigade workshops at the moment being fitted out.

Kindest Regards  Tim

I'm with now, Tim.

I'm thinking of using the truck rear body on a Unimog circus truck which I think will appear in DS next year (it's in the German DS now).

There are a number of container customs on klickywelt, Tim, if you want to see what other people have done.
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Tim_w on December 24, 2008, 13:07:17
Hello Gordon,

Thank you for the tip off, i will have a dig around on klickywelt. I registered not long ago and i am due to pop and have another look around. I noticed someone made a really nice 'pod' system a while ago but i can't get my head around the mechanism to lift it onto the truck  8}. I have a new vehicle to share with you over the next few day's. I am just putting the finishing touches on it as we speak.

Tim  :wave:
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: playmofire on December 24, 2008, 14:24:39
Hi Tim,

If you do a search on Abrollbehälter in the Blaulicht & Co forum on klickywelt. 

Look forward to seeing your latest creation.  I have two new vehicles to photograph and one needing minor work on it before photographing it, but I haven't got the energy at the moment or the lighting conditions.
Title: Re: Bill and His Men Arrive From The USA
Post by: Tim_w on December 26, 2008, 11:48:53
Hello Gorodn :),

Thank you very much for the information. I have been finishing off my latest custom over the last day or so. Hopefully when the temperature improves and this wind drops i can get some pictures. Its freezing cold outside at the moment even though its a sunny day  :)

Tim  :wave: