Chapter 11 - FRIENDS OF THE OAK RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT

CHAPTER 11

FRIENDS OF THE OAK RIDGE FIRE DEPARTMENT

During the history of any fire department certain individuals emerge that play a distinctive role in the everyday occurrences that shape the department. These persons have been few probably due to the method the ORFD came into existence. The ORFD did not experience the golden days of the nineteenth century volunteer. The department started with paid full time professionals and has remained thus. Therefore Fire Buffs were not recruited. Yet there are a few who have an attachment to the department because they either brought with them an interest in the fire service when they came to Oak Ridge or they had a family relationship to a member of the department. These I think deserve special recognition.

JAMES COY and GROVETTE McKINNEY - Coy and Grovie became acquainted with the members of the ORFD while their son Mike was a member. Ms. McKinney often baked cakes and cookies and she and Coy would deliver them to all the firehouses. Long after Mike left the department they continued to visit and bring the treats. Over the years a special friendship developed. This friendship must have influenced their grandson, Jim Dyer, who is presently a member of the department. Mike's wife, Ann has a brother, Marty Zenni, who is also a member. Mr. and Mrs. McKinney will long be remembered.

While researching the old newspapers at the library I came across this interesting story. I was reading the account of the old Jefferson Theater fire. About halfway through the article, as the story goes, Mr. and Mrs. McKinney were making their morning journey to Mrs. Winters for breakfast. They learned of the fire that was in progress. Of course, as always they demonstrated their concern for the firefighters. Coy looked toward the waitress and asked, "How many of those cinnamon rolls do you suppose twenty-five dollars would buy?" She called for the manager. The manager and the McKinney's got their heads together and they sacked all the rolls they had baked plus some sausage biscuits and Coy and Groovy delivered them to the men at the scene of the fire.

FRANK THURSBY, whose son Jimmy is a member of the department, is also one of those individuals that has always been ready every time called upon to aid in any project. He is always chief chef and bottle washer anytime the department has a fish fry or other social function. Frank is one of the busiest persons you will ever meet. He is a block mason, cement finisher, does garden and lawn care with Jimmy, and works part time for a catering service. Not bad for a man that is supposed to be retired.

TOM SCOTT is not a paid member of the fire service for two reasons. The wages are not enough and if he were being paid he would no longer have a hobby. One summer afternoon in 1973 an alarm was sounded for the girl scout camp near Montana Ave. When No. 1 arrived on the scene we found a working fire in the large clubhouse kitchen. We knew we would have to conserve water because the only water available was in our booster tank. The closest hydrant was across the Turnpike near the old sewage disposal plant. We radioed for Co. 3 to bring the reserve engine from Sta. 1 as they responded.

Just as we were laying our discharge line someone tapped me on the shoulder and asked if he could help. He appeared to have a strong back. I told him that he could assist the operator in laying a second line for the next arriving company. When this was accomplished he came into the clubhouse and assisted as we were just completing the initial knockdown of the fire. This was my first encounter with Tom Scott. Tom has responded to most working fires since that time.

Tom was born in Tuscumbia, Ala. One of his earliest recollections is standing on a Tuscumbia street corner at age four while the town's only fire engine, a 1918 American LaFrance, sped by responding to a fire. At age twelve Tom caught the hydrant for that same engine at a downtown fire which occurred during the school lunch hour. Tom did not return to school that afternoon. This was the only time he ever skipped school.

While attending Auburn University, he became a volunteer in the Auburn FD and lived in the fire station during his senior year. A shift only had three men to operate two engines so Tom had the back step on the lead engine so he always had the first line to the fire. (This is Tom's idea of the best way to respond to the fire.) During his third year at Auburn, Tom purchased a 1918 American LaFrance engine which was for sale in his hometown of Florence, Ala. After graduation the truck was sold and the proceeds were used to buy his wife's engagement ring. (A fact he has never let her forget.) During his three year tour in the U S Navy, Tom had the opportunity to visit fire departments in many foreign countries which included the cities of Tokyo, Hong Kong and Manila. Tom's ship was stationed in Newport. RI, where he became a call fireman. Prior to moving to Oak Ridge in 1973, he was a paid callman in the Aiken, SC fire department. He was made an honorary life member of the department when he left Aiken.

Just before leaving Aiken Tom purchased a 1923 American LaFrance which was very similar to the truck he had watched in his early years. This truck was partially dismantled and most of the packing for the move was left to Tom's wife as he was busy preparing the truck for the move to Oak Ridge.

Tom has been a member of the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Mortor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA) and has written a column on fire books for the Society's quarterly journal for the past twenty-five years. His personal library contains over 1200 books on fires, fire departments, and fire engines. As the editor of The Fire Buff's Bibliography (1974) and The Fire Buff's Bibliography Revised (1994), he has compiled a listing of over 2700 books that relate to fires, fire departments and equipment etc., both fiction and non-fiction. In 1993 he received the Robinson Award for his selection as SPAAMFAA's National Member of the Year. Through this organization he maintains active contact with other fire buffs throughout the country. With the help of these friends he has been able to visit fire houses in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, and actually ride the apparatus responding to alarms.

Tom and his wife recently built a new house. Although he didn't tell his wife, she suspects the only reason he agreed to this was to have space for his library, antique fire apparatus, and fire memorabilia.

His current collection includes three American LaFrance engines. In addition to the 1923 engine which appears in parades and other events in Oak Ridge, there is a 1929 engine from Kingsport and a 1957 engine from Hickory, NC.

Tom's collection contains a Gamewell fire alarm system. Several components are from the Oak Ridge system which were purchased at an auction when the system was taken out of service. He has about 20 alarm boxes, some of which are of nineteenth century vintage, and a number of bells and gongs, most of which are operable. He also has many antique hose nozzles, leather fire buckets, and a wide range of fire helmets dating back to 1920. Tom loves to show guests and visitors his collection.

Tom is a volunteer in the Oliver Springs FD and is currently second in seniority. He drives the Norwood Fire Hall engine when he is first to arrive at the firehouse. Several years ago Tom responded to a large industrial fire in Chattanooga, a mill fire in Philadelphia, TN , and a major business district fire in Rockwood in one weekend.

Presently Tom is the official volunteer photographer for the ORFD. He listens to his scanner and responds to all working fires and major auto accidents. He can sometimes be seen dragging hose for a hydrant hook-up or carrying equipment when help is needed. He delights in visiting and joining in the bull sessions at the firehouses. He is as much a part of the ORFD as any member of the department.

Although a ladies auxiliary does not exist at the present time, many of the wives of the firefighters show up at major alarms with much needed refreshments. Beth Bailey is one that can always be seen delivering cold drinks, coffee and snacks. Hopefully at the next election she will be considered for the Sweetheart of the ORFD title.

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