In the past few days the Modena Fire Company Chief received an unexpected e-mail label Engine 37-3 drawing. In today's SPAM world he was close to not opening it but realized it had to be something of importance not just a coincidence that it came to his personal e-mail.

As Chief Dowlin opened it was a short two paragraph e-mail from a gentleman named Adam Bain he explained that he lived in Australia and draws detailed pictures of cars and emergency vehicles both freehand and on computer.

Adam also explained that since he was young he had a passion to become a firefighter or paramedic but his Autism prevented him from doing so.

Adam finished his e-mail by saying I have drawn a picture for you all at Modena Fire Company of your engine 37-3and I hope you all like it. It was then that Chief Dowlin clicked on the picture attached and was truly taken by detail and realism of the drawing, and realized that Adam truly has a great talent.

Chief Dowlin sent back a thank you e-mail and offered to give him some exposure on our web site if he would tell me some more about himself.

From Adam Himself:

I started drawing when I was 2 years old, and my first drawing was a detailed fire engine.

I was diagnosed with mild to moderate Autism when I was 5, I am now 22 years old.

I am left handed, and I draw with my right hand using a mouse on computer.
I use the Paint programmed to do my computer drawings.

I originated from Auckland New Zealand and I am now residing in Melbourne Australia.

When I was living in New Zealand I drew different fire appliances for the New Zealand Fire Service Northland Region Newsletter. I also have drawings hanging up in different Fire, Ambulance & Police Stations across America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and England.

I collect Fire Department memorabilia including models, T-shirts, patches, Books and Badges. I was even voted as an honorary Captain of the Martins Ferry Ohio Volunteer Fire Department.

I have a Myspace page where I upload my recent drawings. The link is www.myspace.com/artworkbyadam.

I also have a rare condition where my Kidneys cannot process Sodium this condition and my Autism stopped my dream from becoming a firefighter. So in some small way I hope my drawings bring pleasure to firefighters and emergency crews worldwide. It's just my way of saying thank you.

Yours Sincerely
Adam Bain

The officers and members of the Modena Fire Company would again like to thanks Adam for his drawing, we will be getting it enlarged and hanging in the station in the near future. The company will be sending Adam a thank you package with some things for his collection in the near future as well.