Engine Co. No. 1 is replacing faithful fire horse Old Smokey with a new engine, which Der Captain is very proud of. He soon gets a chance to test it, when his panicked wife calls; unfortunately, he's still learning how to use it, and damages the ladder upon hitting a tree. As he finally arrives, the ladder extends to its full range, with the Captain on top and most of the rungs missing. Fortunately, Old Smokey and the Inspector are plodding along nearby to bring Smokey to his retirement farm; Smokey smells the smoke, which whips him into action. Smokey saves the house, Mama, the Captain, and, in the process, himself.