Bob Chasing Fire Trucks at the Island Airport

You know you’ve been doing street photography too long when you start chasing fire trucks like they’re celebrity sightings.

Most people go to Doors Open Toronto to see old buildings, architecture, and historical plaques. Bob? Bob goes because somebody whispered the magical words:

“Airport fire trucks.”

That was it. I was on the walkway to the island faster than a tourist hearing there’s free maple syrup samples.

And honestly, the Toronto Island Airport did not disappoint.

Rain pouring down. Grey skies. Wet pavement everywhere. Perfect weather for dramatic fire truck photos. The kind of weather where your camera gets soaked, your shoes are ruined, and you still say:

“Worth it.”

The airport rescue trucks looked absolutely massive sitting beside the runway. Bright yellow monsters with giant tires that looked ready to drive through a building if necessary. These aren’t your neighborhood fire trucks. These things look like they were designed by somebody who watched too many action movies and said:

“Make it bigger.”

One of the airport firefighters was sitting inside the rescue truck while people climbed up the little wooden stairs to look around. Meanwhile Bob was standing in the rain photographing every angle like I was covering a major breaking news story.

I probably took more photos of the tires than a normal person should.

The rain actually made the photos better. Reflections everywhere. Wet pavement. Emergency lights glowing in the mist. The whole place had that dramatic movie scene look.

Even the regular fire truck looked good sitting outside the terminal building with the giant bird mural behind it. That’s the kind of accidental Toronto backdrop street photographers dream about.

And of course there was the little rescue pickup truck parked near the runway looking like the forgotten cousin of the giant airport crash trucks.

Still cool though.

One thing I love about events like Doors Open is that they let regular people see the behind-the-scenes stuff most of us never think about. Thousands of people fly through the airport and never stop to think:

“What happens if something goes wrong on the runway?”

Then suddenly you see these giant rescue vehicles and realize the airport firefighters are basically operating rolling tanks with water cannons.

As usual, Bob probably looked suspicious wandering around in the rain taking photos of emergency vehicles from every possible angle. But after 15 years of photo walks in Toronto, I’ve accepted that this is just part of the job description.

Some photographers chase sunsets.

Some chase birds.

Bob apparently chases fire trucks.

And honestly?

I regret nothing.