LFC Blog: Hello there, and welcome to today's blog! I have the distinct pleasure of introducing a very good friend of mine, Paulo! He owns Stud City Fire Department and is also the Chief of Department of Studington Fire & Rescue! Enjoy the interview below!
~Michael LFC Blog: Welcome to the blog, Paulo! Tell us about yourself. When and why did you start building Lego fire trucks? PR: My name is Paulo Rodriguez Everson and I am a 20 year old mechanical engineering student/volunteer firefighter from San Juan, Puerto Rico. I started building with LEGOs since around the third grade and have been ever since! I joined MOCpages in the summer of 2009, to share my WWII and Star Wars creations (I had a Youtube channel back then too, and my 12 year old self thought I was going to be a star!). It wasn’t before long that I ran across one of Bob K’s creations and discovered people building model fire trucks. I was instantly hooked, and my other collections took a back seat for fire trucks! LFC Blog: I didn't know you started out with WWII creations! The first rig I saw from you was your Tower 4 which had a functional steering system if I remember correctly! Who/what inspires you to build? PR: The community is my main inspiration! Every talented builder I have met over the years have certainly helped me build and rebuild my building style to what it is today. My first inspiration was Bob K, but I have learned so much from the SNOT talents of Zak O, the astonishing realistic details double CC has built or the masterful cabs made by James K, to name a few. Honestly I would have to mention just about every other builder out there to give you a full list! LFC Blog: Those are awesome builders indeed! What's in the name Stud City Fire Department and why did you settle on the current color scheme? PR: By the time I had joined the LFC, it seemed every name imaginable with Brick or Lego was being used, so I figured I would use the word stud. Now in hindsight my 12 old mind didn’t really know the other meanings for stud, but I went with it and never looked back! The color scheme was originally white over red, like every fire truck back in day was. Eventually I changed to all red with a yellow stripe, the colors of the Puerto Rico Fire Corps, my hometown department. LFC Blog: So I guess you have a lot of studs in your town :D Red with a yellow stripe reminds me of a color scheme from where I'm from *cough* LAcoFD *cough* What is the most challenging rig you've ever built? PR: This is a good question, I think many different rigs have posed many different challenges for me, but my Aerialscope and E-One cabs have been my most worked projects. Although not a fancy, 3 section fully working scope :P, I did play around with the design for a couple years before settling on a final product for Tower 5. My E-one cabs also have been re-designed and rebuilt several times over the years before I found a design I was happy enough to brick build. LFC Blog: Hey now, building a working Scope should be your next project! (Hint hint) What is your most favorite rig and why? PR: Another tough call! I am a huge fan of ladder trucks, so all of my tillers, and towers have to be on the top. But if I had to pick one, Truck 3 is one of my favorites. Also always love my KME single axle rescue 2 and my seagrave engines. LFC Blog: A tiller! Good choice haha! All your KMEs and Seagraves are gorgeous. Oh wait, I take that back.. All your rigs are beautiful! What is one Lego piece you wish were manufactured and why? PR: Easy, a 1x1 brick with roll-up door pattern. My headaches would be solved. LFC Blog: I will add that to the list! Let's see if TLC will consider our proposals! What are your future plans for your department? PR: Eventually I would like to have my original plan of 20 Engines, 12 Trucks and Towers, 4 Rescues and 4 Squads. But the last couple of years have been slow for me, with college, a pretty bad back injury and now Hurricane Maria. But things are looking better, so hopefully I will be able to get a few more bricks in motion and get building! LFC Blog: Great! It's always a treat to see what you come up with! What is the best part of the Lego Fire Community? PR: The fires! I just love the fires! The people are alright as well, I guess. Jokes aside, the people really are the best part. In a way the community shaped a big part of who I am today and what my profession will eventually (and hopefully) be! Getting to learn from actual firefighters from all over the world, and simply making good friends over the years has no price. So big thank you to all of the LFC! LFC Blog: Indeed! I've met so many nice people from around the world, and it's really cool how our shared passions bring us all together! How would you like to see the LFC grow better? PR: I would love to see more young builders try themselves. I feel like individuality has been lacking from some of the newer generations. I like opening my phone and looking at a truck and being able to recognize who built it without even reading who it is from. There are more rigs out there other than Arrow XT’s you know! ;) Would also like to see people build a little more respect in certain platforms of the community, you can really tell the difference between the generations of builders in the LFC these days. LFC Blog: Very true! I think individuality is lacking because of many did not discover tricks on their own. Any tips or advice for new builders? PR: Like I always suggest to newbies, find a style you like and build away! Learn by trial and error, don’t flood your fleet with everyone else’s LDD files. Make your own, do some reverse engineering! Asking for help is not frowned upon either, but do know there are limits, I will gladly help anyone out there, but I wont build you a whole fleet! Finally, be respectful, learn from the guys who have been here a long time and someday, you will teach it forward to a new guy. LFC Blog: Well, thank you for taking the time to speak to us Paulo! I'm sure the readers have learned a thing or two! To those reading this blog, thank you for your continual support!
3 Comments
Sven
11/16/2017 06:37:44 am
Hello Paulo, glad to hear that you're okay. Was really concerned when I heard about Hurricane Maria heading to PR leaving chaos and destruction while having in mind that you are living there. But sadly I had no idea how I can reach you. Wish you all the best and send you lovely greets from Germany. Sven
Reply
Paulo
11/16/2017 08:38:44 am
Hey Sven! Gladly I survived the hurricane and didnt suffer too much damage. Take care my friend. Thanks for worrying! Lol
Reply
Niklas
11/16/2017 09:24:08 am
Hey paulo
Reply
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~Committed to presenting outstanding LEGO firefighting MOCs from around the world!~
Blog Updated: 10/28/22
PurposeWelcome to the Lego Fire Community Blog! Presented here are outstanding builders who captivate their audience with their MOCs (My Own Creation). The purpose of this blog is to educate others of exemplary builders both past and present. DedicationThis blog is dedicated to Eric S. McDonald, the Fire Chief of the original Lego City Fire Department who died unexpectedly on Aug. 21, 2002. His vision is what started the whole LFC, and for that we are eternally grateful. About the moderating teamChief editor - Michael P. - Founder of Castle Beach Fire Department and Los Angelego County Fire Department Archives
October 2022
DisclaimerThis website is not affiliated with The Lego Company, or any real life fire department for that matter. All builds presented here are original works by the respective builders who gave strict permission to utilize the photos on this website. None of the photos were/are kept for personal use. |