Drove over to the south shore beaches north of Dartmouth where Karl surfs.  Good waves but too much wind, so we stopped at the Rose & Rooster for coffee and brownies.  Went a little further to the tiny village of Musquodoboit Harbour (Musket-dob-it) about 45 km. from Halifax to turn around and grab some fresh, locally grown produce at Uprooted, the local grocery store.  [All photos Max Vollmer, Click on any image to enlarge]

On the way back to Halifax we stopped at the Herrick Cove Volunteer Fire Station where my son Karl is the Captain.  The station has five salaried career firefighters who are on call 24-7 and twenty four volunteer firefighters who respond to calls as needed, when available.

Engine 60 is only 3~4 months old, cost approx. $750,000, and is the workhorse with the pump that feeds up to four hoses.  The captain rides in the right front seat with a driver who does not leave the truck.  Four additional firefighters ride in the crew cab where they gear up on the way to a fire.  Engine 60 carries oxygen tanks for crew, fire hose, and specialty tools like chain saws, “jaws of life,” etc.

Tanker 60 carries approx. 1200 gal. of water, 1.5 km. of fire hose, and a two ladders, one of which is a 2-flight ladder that will support a fireman in full gear carrying a second person in the case of rescues from upper stories.

Bunks, bathrooms, kitchen, break room, gym, and Karl’s office are on the 2nd floor.  There is a traditional fire pole for firefighters to descend quickly from the 2nd floor.  You see the Canada flag along with one with the star, crescent, and red cross that is the Mi’maq flag of the indigenous people.  Here’s a good place to mention that the Acadians have their own flag which is the French Tricolor with a yellow star in the upper left corner.  I see it flown on homes of those who identify as Acadians.