It was perfect camping weather. So the sight of four people pitching a tent, setting up a table and enjoying the September sunshine would not normally attract a second glance.
Yet these were no ordinary campers. And their location was far from conventional.
Barrhead’s Deputy Fire Chief Gary Hove, Capt. Ty Assaf, and firefighters Jacquie Bradet and Sam Beeston were on the roof of the Co-op gas bar as part of a national fundraiser and fire departments awareness campaign.
They clambered to their temporary home at noon last Saturday and settled in for a 30-hour stay, which included a sleepover. Their scheduled departure was 6 p.m. on Sunday.
At least there was no shortage of food and drink. Whatever they had taken to the roof could be supplemented by colleagues visiting Co-op stores.
Also in abundance was public goodwill; motorists regularly honked horns and passers-by waved or shouted encouragement.
“Are you having fun?” a Leader reporter asked Assaf.
“Yes,” he replied. “We’ve been here three hours – just another 27 to go.”
Perhaps the biggest challenge facing anyone confined to a rooftop is boredom.
Sure you can play cards, listen to music, dance, sing and swap anecdotes. But sometimes these amusements are not enough. Sometimes with a bit of advance planning you can capitalize on your height advantage … by equipping yourselves with water bombs.
What better target than an unsuspecting colleague, particularly if he happens to be Fire Chief John Whittaker, who dropped by on Saturday afternoon?
None of the tiny balloons scored a direct hit– at least not while the Leader was present – but there were one or two near misses.
“Hey guys, I won’t move,” Whittaker laughed. “You can have one free throw.”
There was a splat. A good shot, but at most Whittaker’s trouser cuffs were dampened.
The festive spirit was matched on the ground: fire trucks were on display, children’s activities had been set up by the Co-op grocery store, and a giant banner adorned the entrance. It read: “The Fire Within … Heroes in the Sky … Please Support Your Barrhead Fire Services.”
The popular Fire Within/Firefighters 1st volunteer firefighter calendars were being sold for $20 from a table by the gas station forecourt.
Lt. Scott Green also sold them by the Co-op grocery store entrance.
“We are here for ‘Heroes in the Sky’ and all the proceeds from the calendar sales go to Barrhead Fire Services,” he said.
“It’s fourth year that we’ve done this and it’s going very well. The community always supports us. We get a lot of good comments from people who like us to be out here.”
Green said there were 500 calendars.
“We are selling them this weekend and in Fire Prevention Week in October,” he said. “You can also purchase them from any member of Barrhead Fire Services.”
Green said proceeds would go towards restoring the 1951 Mercury fire engine, which sits in Barrhead Centennial Museum.
“It needs a lot of work,” he said.
The overhaul – estimated to cost $30,000 – will involve new brakes and fuel pumps, extensive bodywork and a paint job.
Once restored to its former glory, the old engine will be used in parades and similar ceremonial events.
