Share Your Passion

Many years ago, long before my hiring and probationary days, I went to a local community college for Fire Protection & Technology (aka Fire Science) classes. I saw my parents shortly after my first pratical / manipulative and was very excited about many aspects of the Fire Service. I know I was then and still are very dedicated to Rescue & Rapid Intervention. I think I must have made some reference to FDNY's Rescue Companies and our Rescue Company. It was a few weeks later, sometime in 1998, that my mother, of all people, found this little FDNY Rescue Company 3 (HME/Saulsbury) Truck and wrapped it up and gave it to me for some reason or another. I know that she was proud of me then, and hopefully is still today, looking down from above. It was my mother who, if by accident, turned me onto Code 3. I thought Code 3's were the coolest Fire Apparatus I had ever seen. I bought a few here and there from Kaybee Toys and Toys R' Us and always kept my eyes out for them. Finally, around 2002, I did the smart thing and joined the club. I still have that FDNY Rescue Co. 3, right next to 1,2,4 & 5 along with the new Rescues and approx 300 other Fine Code 3 Apparatus. If you haven't figured out by now, let me state, I do not collect any other Fire Apparatus other than Code 3. In 2004,  I was honored to have my words published in one of the quarterly catalogs. My words are no different today, than they were many years ago.
   "Thank You so much for the incredible collectibles that you make. I treasure the apparatus that as been made and eagerly await all the ones to come. There is a reason I only collect Code 3 Collectibles. Your Preservation of the Honor of Our Appartus. Your Commitment to Excellence. And Your Courage of Convictions in making the best collectible out there. You have my commitment of support for your company and your products. forever!" 
         Fraternally,
               Unnsunghero

I have been a member of Code 3 since they started the Club. I found my first Code 3 at Target. I had already been collecting Fire Trucks before seeing the Code 3 and the first one I saw was heads above what was out there already and they were more affordable compared to the others, and with more attention to detail. At the time I pretty much bought every replica Fire Truck I saw. My mother use to say that I was going to be a fireman when I grew up. She was the one who actually put that in my head. I was never a paid fireman but I started out at 18 with a local Volunteer Department and through the years I moved up to acting Chief and retired as Assistant Chief. When I was in the Navy, just prior to getting out, I was able to choose a profession to train in before leaving the Navy and I chose Firefighting with Law Enforcement as my second choice. Well all the Fire Department positions were full so I got Law Enforcement and never looked back. However when I returned home I went back to the Volunteer department and I applied for the City Fire Department, Police Department and Sheriff's Office. The Sheriff's Office called first and that's were I stayed and also remained with the Volunteer Department. Right now I have over 500 Fire Trucks and over 100 Fire Houses in my collection. I still collect other brands beside Code 3 but with the exception of a couple, Code 3's are my favorites.

I started collecting Code 3 after picking up an original LAFD Seagrave from a local hobby shop in 1997.
At one point, I must have had over 300 models in my collection. My fellow Firefighter / Paramedic friends got the bug and we just about had to have one of every release, if not two (one to trade). The detail got better and better with every release, and those in Charge at the time knew how to build thier customer base by biding time between realeses with just enough information to keep us chomping at the bit for more. The releases were a bit more balanced between East Coast and Left Coast, with LAFD and FDNY well represented. Scott Schellhase was very custmer service friendly and ready to answer questions albeit a bit vauge when he had to be, BUT there was open dialog and the collectors expected great things to come.

Conversely, I lost interest when Scott / Orlando left, customer service became foreign words, the whats new news trickled to a stop, the "Code 3 club" meant nothing to anyone (no sneak peaks, no "insider" info, no savings to speak of for multiple purchases, etc.) No new mold releases were anywhere on the horizon, once promising molds were "lost", etc.The modest cost increases over the years never turned me off, the lack of interesting / new releases did.

To spark my interest again, start by letting the collectors know what is on the horizon with sneak peeks and minor "hints"for the "club" members or collectors in general (for instance, just to know a Seagrave Maurader II is on the way would go a long way toward rekindling interest) which makes it worthwhile to invest the $$ to belong. Stick to the departments that sell well for Code 3 and add some neat looking Volly rigs like the Code 3 of old. Make appearances at East and West Coast shows, the booth does not have to be huge, but I used to like meeting everyone in Baltimore and seeing the new molds / what might be coming soon. It wont hurt to let the collectors know what might be in the works for 09 and 2010, I understand problems may arise which delay and maybe even cancel production, but at least I will know Code 3 is trying to perk my interest.

I have been a collector of code3 since the first one ever made. They have come along way since then and also increased customer size dramaticaly. I have also look forward to new models coming out every mouth  they have kept my business since 1997 and I look forward to buying more models from were every fire department they may be from.....   

I HAVE BEEN COLLECTING FIRETRUCKS FOR OVER 25 YEARS. I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED CODE 3, BECAUSE OF THERE DETAIL. I LIKE HOW THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO UPGRADE THERE DETAIL. IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIRST TRUCKS LIKE DENVER, COMPAIRED TO TRUCKS NOW, THEY ARE 100% BETTER. I LIKE CODE 3'S COMMITMENT TO THE REALLY FINE GRAPHICS [UNION STICKERS, ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNINGS ETC]. I LOVE THERE NEWER STYLE, EASIER TO USE DISPLAY BOXES. THANKS CODE 3.

   I started collecting diecast fire apparatus after I retired in 2004. Prior to that, the only diecast fire apparatus I was familiar with was Franklin Mint, First Gear, Matchbox, and, Road Champs.

  A friend, knowing my liking for fire apparatus, gave me a Corgi Seagrave open cab, tractor drawn aerial ladder for a retirement gift. I was hooked from that point on.

  I discovered Code 3 by chance, and joined immediately. I only have 180 pieces in my collection, but, it is growing.

  I agree with fireinsp3, with his reference to comparing detail between the newer rigs, and the old Denver Rig. Code 3's attention to detail is fantastic for most of the models. The only exception is the single beacon lights on the cabs of FDNY Mack C, Sat.1,2,3, Eng 65, 71, Super Pumper 1, Super Hose Tender1, and the Mack CF Engine 82. The domes on these should have been clear. Small detail.

Iv wrote this in other forum categories and have posted pic of the apparatuses code 3 should produce Albany New York rigs. 

I also discovered Code 3 by change but I was a fan of the FDNY since I was 6 and saw an FDNY truck on the TV.
Since then I was hooked on the FDNY and always will be.
I even have a memorial tattoo for 9-11 on my right arm.
Unfortunaly I have astma and because of that I failed many sports test for becoming a firefighter.
Last time I tried was in 2008 but again the astma kicked in and yet again I failed it,so I gave up on the dream of becoming a firefighter.

well u dont nescesarily have to give up..is there anyway u could possibly become a volunteer firefighter?

The test I did was for the volunteer department

I'm only 14 years old and i already have 9 apparatus and i love them. Whenever i get my check from my job I go right to a code 3 site and try to find one i like. I was at a muster where i live and i found FDNY Rescue 1 (old style) and LAFD engine 90. I found them for $20 each.. I just want to say that code 3 collectibles have sparked me to want to join the fire dept. I appreciate all they do  for the community and i have great respect for them. My Dad is a firefighter and he showed me on firehouse.com. I really love these and keep them coming
                    Thanks,
                    Kyle

I am going to be turning 19 years old in 2 days and can proudly say that I have been able to grow up with Code 3 as I started collecting when I was 8. My first model was FDNY Engine 9 which I found in the toy aisle of a Service Merchandise store. It really stood out to me and I bought. In the coming year I would add a couple of Chiefs vehicles, the FDNY Ambulance, Saddle River,Tallman, and a couple more FDNY Seagrave Engines. From then on I would start buying nearly every release. I joined the original Code 3 board in the summer of 2001 just shy of my 11th birthday. I am pleased to share that I was the youngest member to ever join that board and made some friends over the years. I joined the Code 3 Collector's Club in 2002 and hit gold status pretty quickly. I maintained that status until 2006 when the number of pieces released started slumping. I let my membership run out and started taking my business over to the dealers where I have been able to find two great places to buy my Code 3's and many other items that I collect. Recently, I renewed my membership thanks to there finally being a great incentive with the warehouse sale. Currently my collection count stands as: 4 firehouses, 6 DP engines, the DP Ladder 10, 2 fireboats, and over 260 1/64 Code 3 pieces. I take a lot of pride in my collection, and I am looking forward to expanding my collection to over 300 Code 3 pieces. I am currently working on filling in some of the gaps in my collection and have been pleased with my progress.

I am really hoping that Code 3 can return to the way it was a couple of years ago or what I have known as "The Golden Years".

I am going to be turning 19 years old in 2 days and can proudly say that I have been able to grow up with Code 3 as I started collecting when I was 8. My first model was FDNY Engine 9 which I found in the toy aisle of a Service Merchandise store. It really stood out to me and I bought. In the coming year I would add a couple of Chiefs vehicles, the FDNY Ambulance, Saddle River,Tallman, and a couple more FDNY Seagrave Engines. From then on I would start buying nearly every release. I joined the original Code 3 board in the summer of 2001 just shy of my 11th birthday. I am pleased to share that I was the youngest member to ever join that board and made some friends over the years. I joined the Code 3 Collector's Club in 2002 and hit gold status pretty quickly. I maintained that status until 2006 when the number of pieces released started slumping. I let my membership run out and started taking my business over to the dealers where I have been able to find two great places to buy my Code 3's and many other items that I collect. Recently, I renewed my membership thanks to there finally being a great incentive with the warehouse sale. Currently my collection count stands as: 4 firehouses, 6 DP engines, the DP Ladder 10, 2 fireboats, and over 260 1/64 Code 3 pieces. I take a lot of pride in my collection, and I am looking forward to expanding my collection to over 300 Code 3 pieces. I am currently working on filling in some of the gaps in my collection and have been pleased with my progress.
I am really hoping that Code 3 can return to the way it was a couple of years ago or what I have known as "The Golden Years".

-len90

 Just part of my collection Been collecting since day 1

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Last one

Being the son & grandson of firefighters, & a FF/EMT for 23 years, I've been collecting Fire trucks since I was a kid.  Now at age 47, I have a den dedicated to my collection of over 450 trucks(Code 3, tonka, Hot wheels,etc.), assortment of firehouses, nozzles, pictures, Helmets, & many other related items. 

My wife & kids have bought me several Code 3's over the years as well as those I purchased myself.  Each Code 3 has a connection to somewhere I've lived or been, to my kids(my youngest wanted to work for NASA growing up so I got the Kennedy Space Center set), or interest(Emergency set, BackDraft set)  My first Code 3 was the LA Engine 51 with antenia, a prized possession purchased @ Ka-Bee toys
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