What happens when a 39-year LA City firefighter retires, buys a decommissioned engine, and invites families to climb aboard? A simple idea turns into Smokey’s Fire Truck Events—a word-of-mouth phenomenon where real firefighters turn birthdays, weddings, and neighborhood nights into bright, humming memories. We sit down with founder Curt Wasserman to unpack how a single used engine, a safety-first mindset, and a deep love of service evolved into a 32-year run that keeps parents grinning and kids wide-eyed.

Curt shares the behind-the-scenes reality of running unique events with authentic crews: why he only hires firefighters, what it takes to retrofit the hose bed for safe seating, and how maintaining these machines taught him more about engines than decades on shift ever did. We explore the moments that define the brand—three and four-year-old's seeing the world from the top deck, a well-timed siren, and the photos that become the family’s favorite keepsakes. He also opens up about demand dynamics: no ads, a banner on the rig, bookings driven by neighbors who witnessed the joy, and a 12-week lead time that reflects how fast these events fill.

The conversation travels beyond birthdays. Think Indian wedding baraats when hotels say no to elephants, holiday parades through Ladera Ranch that glow after dark, bachelorette arrivals, concert drop-offs, and film shoots that crave the wow factor only a real engine delivers. We even detour into firehouse lore—why Dalmatians were the original crowd-clearers for horse-drawn pumpers—and how a station mascot named Smokey inspired the company name. It’s a tour through community, craft, and the power of doing one thing so well that the neighborhood won’t stop talking.

If you love stories about local businesses built on authenticity, safety, and delight, you’ll feel right at home here. Hit follow, share this with your favorite party-planner, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors find us. What would you celebrate on a fire engine?