Why do fire stations have poles?

Question

I was told it was because when they used horses to pull the fire carts, they used to keep the hay upstairs and it was to stop the horses going upstairs and eating it. But how did the firemen go upstairs?

Answer 1

simply easier and safer to use when the fire officers get a shout (call out). can be accessed on any floor, and there are less problems than there would be on stairs ie, no one falling over anyone else or falling down the stairs when they are in a rush.

Answer 2

It stops the firemen falling down the stairs when the alarm goes off in the middle of the night.

Answer 3

They have stairs as well  - i guess the poles are used to get down to the engine quicker. They are in a bit of a hurry.

Answer 4

For Firewomen strippers?

Answer 5

Well the poles aren't any good anymore they aren't allowed to use them because of health and safety laws what a shame used to love watching them swing down that pole. ;)

Answer 6

Its because there are so many Poles now in the country they are likely to start employing them for cheap labour.

Answer 7

It is because when firefighters DO sleep upstairs, this is the easiest, fastest way to get to the fire equipment.

Source: common knowledge, and seeing in real life.

Per the wonder twins(Justice leauge of america cartoons)  "brain cells activate."

Answer 8

there are stairs and poles, its just when they are coming downstairs, sliding down a pole is much quicker than trying to run downstairs

Answer 9

because they cant use a lift in a fire!

Answer 10

I heard that they have north and south poles just in case there's a fire in the station. Only Shackleton tried taking horses to the pole and we know from his experience that they won't go as far as the pole itself.

Answer 11

It is because sliding down a pole is quicker than running down stairs.

Many fire stations were built with the living/sleeping areas above the bays where the engines were kept.

When a call came in, the firemen slid down the pole to get to the fire engine quickly.

Most fire stations these days are built on one level, or are part time, so there is no need for poles.

Answer 12

they employ anyone these days. not just poles.

Answer 13

You information is correct. And to add to it, the firefighters used spiral staircases to prevent the horses from climbing them!

Answer 14

Your not very bright, are you?

Answer 15

under new health and safety the pole will be made redundant in case the fire crew let go and hurt them self although they are allowed to fall down stairs

Answer 16

The purpose of the pole inside the fire station is to enable the firemen to quickly descend from their rooms above down into the engine station below and thus quickly get away on their 'shout'.

Brooklyn horse-drawn fire engines [not sure what year]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRYQUplbh...

Salute to the fire horses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWGZdMT2d...

London Fire Brigade - Poplar - engines race out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r12lU0Gan...

London Fire Brigade - Soho - turnout - race Shaftesbury Ave

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L4h5Ddqr...

FDNY - Close call

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCFAi4RpD...

Philadelphia - 7 alarms

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oGmeC0TV...

LONDON CALLING

LONDON FIRE JOURNAL ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF THE LONDON FIRE BRIGADE

A classic written and illustrated by London firefighters during the 1940-1941 Blitz.

The book forms a unique record of one of the most fiery and dramatic ...

http://londonfirejournal.blogspot.com/

LFB Fireboat the Phoenix

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLymXFe1O...

NY Harbor - FDNY fireboat the New Yorker - historic film

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUPAH_R9E...

LFB Old Kent Road London

http://youtube.com/watch?v=V143ilbdDCE&f...