Running Cards

[Vinny Del Giudice]

I collect running cards for municipal fire alarm systems. I would like to add to my collection. Suggestions? Thank you! Vinny

[Hammerhead338]

Hey Vinny, I know this might sound crazy but what are the running cards, I have never heard of them.

Joe Decker
Local 3905

[Vinny Del Giudice]

Hello Joe. This is "stone age" stuff. Pre-computers. Pre-911. Running cards listed companies due at a box on a still or local alarm, first alarm, second alarm, etc. They also listed fill-in companies, etc. Usually printed on large index cards. When a box tapped out, the dispatchers would refer to the card and send out the assignment. I have a card from Philly, Detroit and Pittsburgh, cica 1930s or 1940s. Cheers!

[Hammerhead338]

Sorry Vinny. I now know what you were talking about thanks for the info. I cant help you with this one. Good luck and have a good day.

Joe
Local 3905

[Vinny Del Giudice]

ALL: I'm still hunting for running cards. Suggestions welcomed. Thanks.

[Vinny Del Giudice]

The hunt continues.

[ricky]

Hey Vinny,
I've got a complete Houston set in a hard bound binder from the early 60's but you can't have them. Just thought I would let you know. Now a question for you. Do you know of anyone in your part of the country that has access to any 1950 or so FWD parts ?

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[Vinny Del Giudice]

Hello Rick! Congrats on the Houston cards. Well, pass the word I collect 'em too. I have Philly, Detroit and Pittsburgh. Not a huge collection. 1 per city. I guess I don't understand the question about FWD parts. My dim bulb brain isn't operating properly. What is that? Cheer. Vinny.

[Steve Hagy]

I have a small collection of runing cards. They're tough to find. It seems that most towns just pitched them once computers were discovered. I see them occasionally on eBay. You might want to take a look at the following sites, never know what might turn up.

Handtub Junction : http://www.handtubs.com/index.htm

Unofficial SPAAMFAA Web Site: http://wsfire.com/spaamfaa/ Free Wanted/For Sale Ads

SPAAMFAA Web Site: http://spaamfaa.org/ Free Wanted/For Sale Ads

Hammerdown: http://www.hammerdown.com/fire.html Free Wanted/For Sale Ads

Firetiques: http://www.firetiques.com/

[ArmyTruckCompany]

Hey Vinny....I have about 40 cards from Philly, sorry, can't have em....I also have some watch logs from several Philly companies that I could be encouraged to part with...any interest? Been in the garage for a few years, but if memory serves me correctly, they are from the 50's and 60's. I also own several gamewell boxes....Phila Box 7569 (Ascott Place and London Rd.) and ...damn I can't remember the number, located at Frankford & Rhawn Sts. Nice to see someone else interested in the old days....I had to laugh at Hammerhead's post not knowing what cards are...

[Box2565]

For those of you that have never seen a running card, there are several posts on the youngstownfire.com bulletin board with photos of cards from various towns.

To get to the board go here: <a href="http://www.youngstownfire.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl" target="_blank">youngstownfire.com Message Board</a> then head for the General Fire Call Box Discussion. There are posts showing card from Youngstown, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York, and Chicago.

Also, you can post questions (and hopefully answers) to fire alarm related topics and you can also post buy/sell/want ads for fire alarm equipment!

[holtonfb]

Vinny .. my email is holtonfb@aol.com .. send me your snail mail address .. i've got new york .. chicago .. and a whole lot of Baltimore city .. you can't have the chicago or new yorks .. but I've got some doubles of baltimre city that I'll let you have gratis (that's latin for free) .. and if I can find them .. I'll make xeroxes of the FDNY and CFD cards ..have a good one ...

[Box2565]

Hey holtonfb, any chance of you sending a Balto card or two my way? I also collect them and I sure would like to have a couple from out your way.

Steve

[Box2565]

Since some folks have never seen one of these, attached is a photo of a running card. Box 52 in Detroit, Michigan which is the running card for the D.F.D. fire alarm office.

[/URL]http://home.fuse.net/stemel/Detroit-Box52.jpg