MEMORIES
1-Dog responding
It was in the early seventies,on a bright sunny day.I was passing by in the midtown quarter of Alto de São João when suddenly,just turning one uphill street corner , I saw it: from an upper basculating window of a small shop ,undertaking repairs, a small column of dark grey smoke was pouring out.
Outside, the RSB "standard response team" was already there, with 2 Pumpers and 1 Ladder.
The Officer was considering whether he would order breaking in by smashing the big glass but opaque door or otherwise,as no one seemed to be inside the premises and there was no other access available to put the fire(?) out.On the other hand,breaking the glazed door would cause a considerable damage…
Suddenly I heard the long wailing of an old type siren.Looking down I saw then approaching a big Pumper ,engine roaring but slowly, though as fast as it could make it up the hill .. .,with a front amber old-fashionned light on!Dating from the fourties, the rig was of the Ajuda Volunteer FD ,which was also responding to that 1stalarm . Four or five men were ridding the open-cab Engine, their yellow brass helmets(then on use by most Vol .Fds in Portugal) shinning in the sun.
But the most extraordinary sight was that,on top of the rig ‘s wooden ladders(stored on a centrally mounted structure ,above the open- air sitting benches) and thus much higher then the helmets of the sitting crew, there was … the "Station dog".
Standing high and firm on his legs,head up and nose pointing uphill,the fearless animal seemed to show the way ahead of him and eager to help!
Today no dogs or other animals are allowed to ride on rigs anymore,although all Stations have one,with such names as Alerta (alert) or Fogo(fire ).But then,remember, it was 25 years ago and things had another flavour….
About the fire,it turned out to be no big deal.One particulary slim and short Firefighter squeezed himself into the shop ,through the basculating window,after doffing his helmet and opened the door from the inside.The fire ( a burning frying pan, forgotten by some careless worker ) was then put out with…one bucket full of water, provided by one standing by booster line.
Men and dog returned safely to their Stations on that day.
J.L. (98)