Masahiro Kameoka×Chisako Takashima

Member of the firefighting squad, I’ve been to many fires in Ginza

Takashima

I have heard that you are also on the local firefighting squad. What made you join it?

Kameoka

When my father chaired the neighborhood association, the vice-chairs were both on the fire-fighting team. A graduate of Nippon Sport Science University, I was invited to join.

Takashima

Then you must be very athletic!

Kameoka

Not really. However, my dream was to become a PE teacher, so I learned to play every sport that would be played in a PE class while I was in college. I was on the track team when I was in high school, so I am rather confident about my physical stamina.

Takashima

Do you train to become a firefighter on the squad?

Kameoka

Of course, we train. We even take part in a firefighting pump operations skills contest, where the seven firefighting squads in Kyobashi compete against each other. We pump up water from a water tank and release it from a hose to hit the target.

Takashima

Have ever actually been called to put out a fire?

Kameoka

Of course. We’ve been to a number of fires

Takashima

Wow! When a fire occurs, we usually dial 119. Does the firefighting team also receive notice?

Kameoka

Yes we do, because we have a partnership with the fire station. Basically, we head out before we are requested to come, as soon as we hear the sirens. When fire broke out in the Tsukiji market (Tokyo Metropolitan Central Wholesale Market), our small pumps were very helpful in getting through the maze-like alleys.

Takashima

So you are ceaselessly in action for Ginza, twenty-four hours a day! Thank you for your devotion.

Kameoka

It is my pleasure. I just love the town of Ginza.