Memories of the 7th Battalion
FF. Dennis Walus is doing a great job chronicling the fire situation in Detroit. He recently sent photos of action at a fire on the southwest side of the city. The fire in the 7th Battalion brought back memories of fighting fires with some cool running mates. Big John Lisuk, Benny the Hook, Dave Ratcliff (one of 3 famous hillbillies), Edmond Forys (king of the 7th), and Dick Hoffman are just a few of the special people who manned the rigs way back when I was a Firefighter. There is a story which goes with each of these men. Those were great days working with those guys. They were responsible for saving lives and protecting property.
I can remember pulling out of quarters and smelling the distinctive smell of wood burning. Kind of like a camp fire odor. At night you could see a glow in the sky and hear the boss telling central office we would be stretching. I always got a tickle in my stomach like I did when I played football for Southwestern High School just before the kickoff. My running mates were colorful characters around the engine house or on their leave days but once the bell rang they became serious highly skilled Firefighters.
Here is Dennis Walus' description of a fire in the 7th Battalion on July 17th 2009. Thanks for the memories Dennis.
On Saturday July 18th 2009, Detroit 7th Battalion companies responded to a reported dwelling fire in the area of S Crawford & W Jefferson. While en route Engine 29 reported they could see it and would be stretching. Upon arrival Engine 29 stretched on this occupied 2.5 story dwelling. This fire was brought under control in about a half hour using 2 lines. Engines 29/27/8/10 Ladder 13 Squad 4 and Chief 7 responded to this box alarm.
Stay safe my brothers and sisters.
Click on photos for captions and to enlarge.
All photos courtesy of Dennis Walus.
"Fire Talk" Archives
- Benny the Hook
- Got To Love Texas
- The Fog of Retirement
- Two Tough Kids
- On Leaving the Department
- Cop Talk 3, Ceremony
- Putting it on the Line
- A Bond of Love
- God Will Protect Us
- Stealing Fires
- Poo Poo Pants
- Decoy Carver
- Firefighter's Road Trip
- Day Twenty-seven. Road Trip
- Down Mexico Way
- Zoo in the 7th
- A Gentle Landing
- Always a Firefighter
- Christmas at the Firehouse
- Harem Sacrum
- The Crow Who Spoke Polish
- Once a Firefighter always a Firefighter
- A Brotherhood
- Retiring a Hall of Fame Firefighter
- Anatomy of Forcible Entry
- 911
- Old Horses
- The Milk Wagon
- The Howling
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 26, Destructo
- Memories of the 7th Battalion
- Running Mates
- Engine 32
- Last Alarm
- Tiger Stadium Fire
- To Moosenee and Back
- Memorial Day 2009
- Anatomy of a Fire at a Dangerous Building
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 25, A Typical 7th Battalion Fire
- Boris the Talking Dog
- Wear and Tear
- Tales of the Seventh Battalion 24, Legends
- Axemen
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 23, Ankie
- Anatomy of a Dwelling Fire
- A Firefighter's Spring
- Input
- My Running Mate
- The Singing Fireman
- The Right Stuff
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 22, A Desperate Rescue
- 300 Spartans
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 21, Men Who Fight Bears
- At the End of His Rope
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 20, Wolf Warriors
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 19, Motorcycle Maniac
- Career Ending Injuries
- Detroit Loses One of Its Finest
- On Duty Injuries
- Unpractical Jokes
- Dedication in the Fire Service
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 18, Spare Parts
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 17, Passage to Hell
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 16, Gallant Warrior
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 15, Big Ones
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 14, Chicago Lil
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 13, Bridge Fires
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 12, Hot Stuff
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 11, Taco Wars
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 10, Day in Hell
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 9, Engine House Cat
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 8, Finding a Pen
- The Polish Squad
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 7, Wayne Soap
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 6, Junk Yard Goat
- The 1967 Riot in Detroit 3
- Department Legends
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 5, The Fonz
- The 1967 Riot (an entry from Tom Hart)
- The 1967 Detroit Riot
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 4, Howard
- The Buhl Building Fire
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 3, Engine 27
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 2, Roof Rescue
- Tales of the 7th Battalion 1, Explosion
- The worst 7th Battalion Fire
- Fire Incidents
- Beeler's Fog Monster
- Thoughts of a Retired Firefighter
- Dogs of the Realm
- Going to the Dogs
- Firefighter/Lawyer ?
- Moe Tales
- The Legend of Moe
- A POEM: When Brave Men Cry