In June, we paid a visit to Niagara Region.  Lincoln is a town of 20,600 located just west of St. Catharines.  The Fire Department has four halls, operated by 102 part-timers, plus a full-time Chief, Deputy and FPO.  Historic Niagara-on-the-Lake, just east of St. Catharines, population 13,800, is one of the oldest towns in Ontario (and indeed Canada).  and the site of historic Fort George.  The Fire Department operates from five halls.  Like Lincoln, it's mainly a volunteer operation with a FT Chief.  We had an great day - there was some excellent sunshine in the morning, but the clouds rolled back in after lunch.

Thanks to the firefighters and administration for our visit.

Photos courtesy of Herb Gallaway.

	Lincoln Aerial 1 is a 1991 Superior with a Pierce Dash chassis (1050/450/50' telesqurt).  The truck is station at #1 Hall in Beamsville.
	Lincoln has three squad units similar to this one.  All are on 2002 or 2003 Ford F250 4x4s, carry 100 gallons of water and are equipped with a portable pump.  These versatile rigs are used for brush fires and carry defib units for medical runs.  Squad 2 in Campden is a 2003 unit.
	The backup pumper at #3 Hall in Vineland is this 1976 Ford C900/Pierreville 840/500 unit.  Pump 3A originally served Niagara Falls, ON and is still in NF colours.  The front-line unit in Vineland is a 94 Spartan/Almonte pump.
	Pump 4 in Jordan is Lincoln's newest pumper.  This 2002 HME/Almonte has a 1250 pump and 500 gallon tank.
	#4 hall in Jordan is the only station without one of the four squads.  Instead, they run this 1988 Chevrolet/Dependable heavy rescue.
	Now, to Niagara on the Lake (NOTL).  Pump 1 has an interesting history.  The 1989 E-One Hurricane was originally purchased by London, ON.  In 1992, it slid off an ice-covered bridge, injuring all four on board (one seriously).  The rig was taken out of service, rebuilt and purchased by NOTL.  It's based out of Station 1 in the "old town" of NOTL.
	Station 2 in St. Davids is home to this 1997 Freightliner FL80/Dependable 1250/1000 pumper.
	St. Davids is also home to the canteen unit used by the Regional Niagara Fire Buff Associates.  This Blue Bird bus entered service in 2004 and provides rehab services for almost all of Niagara Region.
	Rescue 3 in Virgil has an interesting history.  The box was originally installed on a 1989 Ford F800 chassis and delivered to nearby Grimsby.  In 2003, NOTL bought the rig and rechassised the box on this 2004 Kenworth.  This is one of two heavy rescues in the fleet.
	Station 4 is located in Queenston, home of the Brock Monument and the Queenston Bridge to New York State.  Pump 4, one of three yellow vehicles in the fleet, is a 1991 Spartan Diamond/Fort Garry 1050/600 pump. Due to the presence of the bridge and Highway 405, Queenston is home to NOTL's other heavy rescue truck.
	Hall #5 wasn't yet completely open at the time of our visit.  This new station is located on Townline Road near the QEW.  Before construction of this building, the rigs were kept in a nearby highway maintenance garage. Pump 5 was purchased from Shaker Rd-Loudonville NY in the late 90s and still says "Engine 445" on the nose.  It's a 1994 Pierce Arrow, 1500/300/50 foam..