Awesome Fire Engines

Awesome Fire Engines is a movie released by Simitar on VHS in 1994. Most commonly than not the tape is sold as a "box" with Awesome Police Cars added as well. The movie's setting takes place in Newton, Massachusetts during a tour of the Newton Fire Department.

Plot

The Beginning

The movie begans with Uncle Smokey introducing himself and his nephew Rascal. Smokey explains that Rascal is learning all about life at a firehouse. However, Rascal unbeliably but truly has a reputation for spaghetti, and henceforth begans to chew on some hoses just as Firefighter Joe starts to take some kids along with him on a tour. Rascal calls on Smokey right away to come see what he has just found.

Smokey tells Rascal that what he thought of as "spaghetti" is actually the hoses that the firefighters use to put out a fire. Curious as to what happens when there is a fire Smokey starts explaining to Rascal that someone always either runs to a neighbor's house and calls the fire department or sets of a fire alarm. He then goes on to explain about the accident commander who is usually considered a chief or a captain directing the firefighters while they're battling the fire. Smokey also explains various firefighting techniques and strategies such as using axes to fight fires by blowing holes in the roof to make smoke come out so the teams can easily see what is going on and have to deal with less danger when they need to go in to fight the fire. Smokey says that being a firefighter is very dangerous, and that firefighters work from in and out of the burning building.

Smokey also tells Rascal about the return to the firehouse, and the fire alarm headquarters must be notified that everyone is safely back to the firehouse until the next call. Rascal right away suggests that firefighters would get hungry after a fire and that he smells spaghetti cooking. Smokey explains about washing hoses and hanging them up to dry in the hose tower.

Rescue Truck, Hook and Ladder, and ladders

Firefighter Joe shows the kids the rescue truck and explains that it goes out to every big fire, and sometimes even when there is not a fire. He explains the equipment carried on the truck and has a kid try on an SCBA pack. SCBAs are what firefighters use to breathe when they're in a burning building without inhailing any potentially dangerous smoke.

Firefighter Joe then goes on to discuss the Hook and Ladder Truck. He explains how there are two drivers. One sits up front, and one in the rear known as the tiller. The tiller's job is turning the back wheels so the truck can make it around corners.

Firefighter Joe is just about to show the kids the letters on the truck when Rascal takes the bell rope. Again thinking that it might be spaghetti he asks his Uncle Smokey about it. Smokey now talks about the area ladder that can stretch up to 100 ft. into the air, and more about fighting fires in depth.

Fire, Snorkel/Brotoskylift, and the Firehouse

Uncle Smokey tells Rascal that he sees Firefighter Joe and the kids on the grass doing something important. Rascal suggests that they might be having a picnic but Smokey says no. He does however suggest going to have a look.

The firefighter tells the kids about fire being a very dangerous thing, and that kids should never play with matches or fire itself. He teaches the kids about stop, drop, and roll, and at the end gives them a quick check (quiz).

Smokey takes role once again and starts talk about the Snorkel. He says that they have long arms with cages at the top. He describes the Brotoskylift which is one of the biggest fire trucks in the world. It weighs 64,000 pounds and is made in Finland.

Firefighter Joe then shows the kids inside the firehouse and describes it to them as a "second home to firefighters" by showing their beds, living room, and kitchen. Just as he says they can eat Rascal says once again how much he loves spaghetti.

Joe than goes on to mention that every building should have a smoke detector on every floor, and instructs the kids how to leave the building. He suggest having an escape plan that consists of two ways out of every room of the house, and a meeting place when everybody gets out. Then he talks about going to a neighbor's house and calling the fire department. He says to never try to call from inside a burning building and not return to the building for any reason.

Firepole, drills, and Joe climbs the area ladder

Uncle Smokey shows Rascal his favorite part of the house which is the firepole. Firefighter Joe does a demonstration. Then, Smokey talks about how many drills must be conducted as a firefighter for practicing. One is the ladder drill when water is sprayed at an imaginary fire.

Firefighter Joe decides to climb the area ladder and says it's his favorite job. He says it has four sections and even at the top manages to see the tiller. He also mentions that he still gets goosebumps from climbing to the top of the area ladder.

Firefighting Academy, Emergency Evacuation, Gases, and Farewell

Smokey goes on to explain that to learn how to fight fires firefighters must go to school. He says that the school is nothing like the school where children go and talks a little bit about the Firefighting Academy. He says that firefighters get a lot of hands-on practice at the academy.

Next we see a cutscene on how if the accident commander suspects the firefighters are in danger he makes the evacuate. He explains a little on gases and how kitchen stoves and barbecue grills use gas. He says if you think you smell gas to tell an adult right away.

The kids then go home. Joe questions them about matches and fire, and what to do if your clothes accidentally catch fire. Then everyone is thanked.

The Great Fire Rescue

After the kids have gone on home we see the sunset and Smokey says he is sleepy. Suddenly, a call alarm goes off inside and the firefighters must go on to the scene. Rascal wants to go too, and Smokey says they "rose his nap". Rascal suggests helping out the fire department, but Smokey says no and instantly changes his mind about it.

At the fire Rascal says how exciting it is for him. Joe tells him to wait for Smokey since they were at a real and dangerous fire. Rascal then notices that Engine 7 is very hot, and has firefighter Joe take a look. Joe decides that the chief should be told. They tell the chief and he has Firefighter Jane move Engine 7 out of the way, let the wall collapse, and relocate Engine 7.

The Parade and Finale

The chief makes sure that everyone is all right. Another firefighter says if they were not warned by Rascal they could have been buried when the wall collapsed, and that the fire could have easily spread to other buildings. They say that Rascal hs saved the day.

Afterwards there is a great parade and signs go up with things like "Rascal is our Hero" and "We love Rascal". Rascal says he likes riding on a firetruck as the second favorite thing. His very favorite thing is "spaghetti".

Trivia

Many classical compositions are in this movie. Of the notable are Mozart's "Eine kleine Nachtmusik", and Peer Gynt's "Morning Mood".

See also

* Awesome Police Cars