This happened a couple of days ago here in LA. The have had a 6 different water-main brakes in the LA area this part week. That cast iron watermain pipe was installed in 1914. Basically a chronic issue old infrastructure. The pavement gave way under the truck as it was on the way to investigate the break.

A simple remedy/solution to grabbing a particular type of extinguisher is to make it less convenient, in other words, the fireman would have to reach a little further and in the process the thought may occur as to what flavor extinguisher is most appropriate. In the same vein, putting a dry chem type in the spot where the CO2 is would eliminate any thought or delay.

And why have most fire departments given up using high volume high pressure mist fog? According to a former Chief I knew (deceased) he bemoaned that all the time. He claimed it knocked down fires much quicker than dumping thousands of gallons of water...and without the flood damage. Am surprised that the environMENTALists haven't jumped on this firewagon.

Critters like to hide food in strange places. Look what this fellow found after bringing his car out of winter storage!!

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Dave, you have received much good advice from the previous postings. I would like to help by adding the following.


I would fill the gas tank and treat the fuel with Sta-Bil, or equivalent, gas treatment, and run the engine to circulate the treated gas through out the system.

I would remove the battery and store it in the garage.

I would loosen the drive belts so there is no tension on them.

I would have the car on jack stands placed supporting the suspension, not the frame, and remove the tires and store them in the garage.

I would change the oil and filter after running the engine to circulate the treated fuel.

I would get a good outdoor rated car cover. There are many good outdoor car covers available. They are not inexpensive, but should protect your car.

I would place a tarp under the car, as has already been suggested, to keep moisture from harming the underside of the car.

I would plug the tail pipe, as has already been suggested, to keep rodents out of the exhaust system.

I would have the doors open slightly, to the first stop on the latch, to relieve pressure on the weather stripping and allow for some air circulation in the cabin. This, to me, is better than just having the windows opened slightly, as suggested earlier.

I think if you do all of this you will have protected your car while stored outside and it will be ready for another season of Packard driving.

Placing some moth balls in the trunk and cabin would be a good idea.

I know I have outlined a lot of things to do, but they could all be accomplished in a couple of hours.

Good luck.

Quote:
Dick,
for persevering and for including your Pat in the Registry. Your comment "Original paint still shines" is certainly evident from the pic included.

What amazes me is so-called "Fire Safety and Prevention" tactics.

I've attended at least 4 such civilian 'training' courses over the years that i can remeber. The fire "professionals" are always touting the dry chem extinguishers.

Just follow your local fire truck the next time it is on a live call. WATCH REAL CLOSE. The very first thing that happens even before the fire truck comes to a full stop is that a firefighter bails from the fire truck, grabs a CO2 fire extinguisher and runs toward the fire.

HE GRABS THE CO2 extinguisher UNconditionaly. NOT a dry chem extinguisher.


Of course i'm not afraid to cross examine any situation. Yeah, gets me in trouble sometimes too. When i asked assistant Chief a few days later about why they grab CO2 BUT tell civilians to use dry chem i just got a blank stare and he turned around and walked away.

"At the minimum just add the Series, Year, Model info, and see if it save. Then you can go back and edit it"


Kev,
I'll give that a try.


Thanks,
-Dick-


UPDATE...

The picture I was trying to upload was evidently too big. When I reduced the size of the picture, the entry showed.

Thanks to everyone for your help.

-Dick-

G'day fireguy1752,

to PackardInfo and perchance do you own a Packard? If you do, could you please consider adding it to the Ownewr Registry here, together with a pic, any known history and how you acquired it?

Brings back an old news story I heard 25 years ago from Minnesota or Wisconsin.

A Volunteer Fire Dept was testing out a newly refurbished pumper Truck on the local boat ramp at the lake when a poorly-set emergency-brake allowed the sparkling new machine to roll down in the water and flood out.

By the time they got another truck, wrecker and equipment there, a local News Team Action Cam showed up with video and microphone for a 6 o'clock News (slow-news day).

Among all the firefighters with their heads hangin' low, they found one whose helmet said 'Firechief' on it. The reporter asked "Chief, do you have any comments for our listeners?"
The Chief raised his head and looked off to the half-submerged truck and said,
"I am sure that 20 years from today, this will be a lot funnier than it is right now."

[In the meantime, God Bless our Firefighters everywhere. (yesterday was 8 years since 9-11 attacks here in USA.]

DanL

Now THAT'S a Cormorant!!!

Proud Birds claim their turf.

Nice work.

DanLit