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Trip to Chiba
Once again, Papa got up early and headed out on his own.

Every day comes with options. These two choices were a flip of the coin.

We boarded the Tram. Went a few stops. Then transferred to the Keikyu "JE" Line.
That line heads north and east around the top of Tokyo Bay to the Port of Chiba.

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Chiba Fire Bureau
It was about an hour train ride north to the City of Chiba. The walk from the train station to the Fire Station at the Port of Chiba took about 15 minutes. Another hot and humid day.

This Chiba Fire Station complex includes several buildings, housing a variety of apparatus, including a number of special units. The large administrative building is between apparatus bays. The Chiba Fireboat is docked behind and to the right of the training tower.

Two primary Engines.

To the left of the Administrative building, are these two structures which house the Rescue and other Special units.

The S. R. C. "Super Rescue Chiba" Truck is a heavy rescue equipped with a crane.

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Chiba Fireboat "Matsukazi"
The primary goal of today's adventure was to find the Chiba Fireboat. The large, impressive vessel, docked behind the Fire Station is the "Matsukazi."

Two members of the Chiba Fireboat crew gave me a tour of the Fireboat and also explained some of the question about the fire apparatus and equipment.

Chiba - Coast Guard
Next to the Chiba Fireboat Station, is a Japan Coast Guard Station and several coast guard boats capable of firefighting, as well as a fleet of tugboats that also have water cannons.

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Chiba Fire Apparatus
There are apparently two types of Engines. The one of the right would be the attack truck. It has a portable water tank, about 1800 Liters (approx 500 gallons).

Turnout Gear
Back in the Fire Station, turnout gear hangs on the wall. Blue turnouts are worn on medical calls.
Hose rolls are stored on the rack above the gear.

We communicated using Translator on our phones to ask questions and get answers. It was a great experience learning from these guys about their equipment.

The portable water tank carries 1800 liters.

The other Engine, is considered the supply Engine. It doesn't have a water tank, but is equipped with a motorized portable hose cart, with hundreds of feet of hose, that can be brought up narrow streets to a fire scene as needed.

The motorized portable hose cart.

The coiled "hard suction" hose on the sides or Engines, or in compartments like this, are used to connect to hydrants underground, or to draft if necessary.

The guys demonstrate how an attack line is set up. Couplings are a quick snap together (like an air chuck). No turning of couplings. No spanners are needed. Hoses are not pre-connected, but are stored in a compartment, already in an accordion, ready to be advanced as quickly as a preconnect.
Simple, quick, and easy.

Rescue Truck
The Super Rescue Chiba is a heavy rescue, equipped with a crane, and plenty of equipment.

Rear of the Super Rescue with the crane. 

The next bay houses some of the special units.

On the left is something of a "Toilet Truck" that apparently has several bathroom facilities that are used during long term incidents.

In the center, is a vehicle that is much like an RV. It is equipped with sleeping facilities, also used for long term incidents.

To the right, is a super duty ventilation truck, equipped with a large fan and hose.

The ventilation truck.

Thank you to the guys at Chiba for sharing everything with me!

Arigato!

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Ichikawa City Fireboat - "Chidori"
Along the train ride back from Chiba, towards Tokyo, is a city called Ichikawa.

Papa got off the train at a rather remote train station, and walked along the shore about a mile in the heat and humidity.

At the end of the walk, was the Ichikawa City Fireboat "Chidori." It was built in 2017.

Ichikawa was definitely worth the long, hot walk from the train, and back.

We got back on the train and headed into Tokyo to meet up with the rest of the family.

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The Tokyo Fire Museum
The Family had gone into Tokyo earlier (while Papa was in Chiba). One of their visits was to the "Poop Museum" which was apparently a "toot!"  Unfortunately, Papa missed that one.

Somehow, against many odds, Papa was able to get back into Tokyo and to the Tokyo Fire Museum while the Family was still there. It is a great fire museum, with a lot of history, and some special apparatus.

Old fire towers.

Horse drawn apparatus.

Fire Alarm system.

Fire Alarm.... former Dispatcher.

The first Tokyo Fireboat.

A model of a Tokyo Fireboat.

Turnout gear evolution over history.

Magirus Ladder Truck.
 

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Tokyo Maxim
One of the surprises, was this 1925 Maxim Pumper, once operated by the Tokyo FD.
Maxim of course, built fire apparatus in Middleborough, Massachusetts, way back home!

Maxim's friend "Stutz"

An old Tokyo Ahrens Fox.

Three generations.

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Tokyo Toy Museum
Not far from the Fire Museum, is the Tokyo Toy Museum. There are a number of age appropriate toys to play with. Some of them were very cool, wooden toys, made to last for generations. And, fun to play with.

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Getting Back to the Hotel
Taking subways, or trains, in parts of Tokyo can be very "old school."  No elevators or escalators to be found. Just plenty of stairs. Thankfully, two parents can carry the stroller up and down as needed.

How about a yellow train.

Yurikamome Station.

The Yurikamome Station (U-01) is our Tram back to the hotel.

Rainbow Bridge.

The Takanawa Fireboat Station again, from the Rainbow Bridge loop.

The tram is a little more crowded this trip

Flame of Liberty Statue near the hotel.

Back to the Grand Nikko from the tram.

The swirled ice cream looking thing, is actually a souvenir from the "Poop Museum."
Sorry I missed out on that.

The trams come and go all day.

A Full Day.

GOOD NIGHT TOKYO!

END DAY 13 - SEPT 17, 2023

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