On Friday evenings a group of us would
gather in the Engine #16 fire house, as Harp Fagan explained the
workings of that venerable old work horse the AhrensFox pumper.
I'm sure that some of you remember it, with it's gleaming nickel
plated round ball perched up front.
Soon an examination for the Newark Fire Department would take place
and Harp was spending time trying to give info to us civilians on
the workings of this apparatus. He spent many hours explaining where
pieces of equipment were stored and how each one worked. Where the
five inch suction line was connected and how the deck gun operated.
Checked out the many levers and handles that were used in running
the 1500 GPM pump.
When the instruction period was over the gang drifted next door
to Gough's Candy store, our local hangout. Here everyone ordered
their favorites, cherry Coke, ice cream sundaes etc. I had selected
a candy bar containing peanuts, part way through eating eat it a
nut lodged in my throat. Unable to breath, I pointed to my throat
and at first no one seemed to realize my predicament. Finally Art
Heinrich was the first one to comprehend what my problem was. Getting
behind me he took both of my arms and jerked them violently towards
my backbone. That was the trick, it expelled the air from my chest
and forced the peanut from my throat. I was now able to breath again.
With this pre Heimlich maneuver, where ever he learned it, Art
saved my life. All my life I have thanked Art for that act. May
he rest in peace.
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