LFC Blog: Welcome to the first Lego Fire Community Blog post of 2018! I'm super excited to introduce Alex W, who is the owner of Westbrick Fire Department! Enjoy the interview below!
~Michael LFC Blog: Welcome to the blog Alex! Tell us about yourself. When and why did you start building Lego fire trucks? AW: Well, I am 26 year old Firefighter/EMT outside of the Cincinnati, OH area. I can remember building at the age of 5 and it really took off when the PC was introduced into my household and explore more than just the game Pong. I found a page of Lego Fire Trucks and stumbled upon St. Lego Fire Rescue and that’s all she wrote. I had discovered a whole new world at that point in the mid 90’s. LFC Blog: Awesome! Tom D has definitely inspired so many people! Who/what inspires you to build? AW: The ones that inspired me early on were Thomas D of St. Lego, Matt J, Bob K of Lego Twp Fire Dept and Paul Bock of New Brickton Fire Rescue. The real legend was a man whose name escapes me, operated Legoborough County Fire Dept and disappeared in the early 00’s. What really got me going was the quality you could make out of Legos and make them look like the real thing. LFC Blog: Oh wow! That is a town I have never heard of! I wish I could have seen that back then! What's in the name Westbrick and why did you settle on the current color scheme? AW: I originally started out as Legocreek Fire/Rescue and then decided to reorganize into the Westbrick Fire Department. West because I grew up on the westside of Chesapeake, VA where we lived at the time before moving to Ohio. Brick was what was on my desk and then the new name was formed. I started with all white and loved them until I found a new paint scheme of grey over red with black and grey stripes and settled on that as the new paint scheme for new trucks from then on. LFC Blog: I remember Legocreek! Your Quantum quint was one of my favorites! What is the most challenging rig you've ever built? AW: The most challenging rig I built and is still around (being refurbished at the present time) was my first rig, a 1995 Pierce Lance pumper. This was similar to one I saw on Brickshelf. I was nervous as to how it would turn out and turns out, it was a masterpiece. It has some how has survived three moves and all the abuse. Just need to spruce it up and make it a piece for Westbrick. LFC Blog: Awesome! Can't wait to see it back in action! What is your most favorite rig and why? AW: My favorite rig as of now has got to be my Squad 5A. It screams Chicago and the Quinn era of the fire service. It is unique and a good asset to the department. LFC Blog: Indeed it is! The Snorkel Squad is a beauty and has so many applications! What is one Lego piece you wish were manufactured and why? AW: Actual roll up doors. LFC Blog: Now that would be an excellent piece to have! What are your future plans for your department? AW: My plans for Westbrick is to expand the department to 10 stations once I complete a couple more rigs. Slowly but surely. I also have another department in the plans. Approximately 6 stations in the ghetto. Then, I have recently picked up a spot with Studington Fire Rescue and have a station there. Yellow trucks is actually a first for me so I’m excited for the challenge and new venture. LFC Blog: Hopefully we can see your new creations sooner than later :p What is the best part of the Lego Fire Community? AW: The vast levels of building experience and new ways to build. There are ways I haven’t thought of doing 10 years ago and you are always learning. I love watching young builders grow in time on the bricks and through learning from the pros. LFC Blog: I agree! There are so many new ways to build compartments and cabs that I did not think were possible five or even ten years ago! How would you like to see the LFC grow better? AW: I honestly can’t think of anything. As long as we stick together, we’ll be just fine. LFC Blog: Any tips or advice for new builders? AW: First, get your hands on your bricks and just free build. There was no Lego Digital Designer back in my day so I experimented by building with my hands. Trial and error. That’s how you learn and what will work and what won’t. Secondly, don’t get frustrated and quit; keep going! Finally, ask for help. I can’t tell you how many times I have asked more experienced builders for help or tips. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Great people like De, Bob, Matt J and Paul B have been there and are willing to lend a hand and help a fellow builder no matter how experienced he/she is. LFC Blog: Indeed, building using actual bricks is so much better than using digitally as there are those softwares have their own nuances and limitations. Well, thank you again Alex for taking the time to be a part of the show this week! To my ever faithful readers, thanks for reading the blog today (or whenever you read this) and stay tuned for more exciting content! If you haven't done so already, be sure to subscribe so that you can be the first to know when new content is posted!
3 Comments
Brian Gallant
10/22/2019 09:05:47 pm
Wow, just found this now. All these years later and Legoborough County is still being mentioned here and there. Those were some fun days before I put all my LCFD trucks away...
Reply
Zack keenan
10/14/2020 11:26:50 pm
I still remember Legoborough too. Some of the best I've ever seen to this day.
Reply
Brian
10/15/2020 09:52:43 am
Thank! Wow that means a lot. I’ve since brought all my LEGO back out and have gotten into building trains. Check it out on Instagram @bay.colony.bricks if you would like to see them! Leave a Reply. |
~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. |