There are rules, and then there are rules. Here are some I've tried, not always successfully, to follow.
Ryman’s Rules: A Volunteer Chief’s Philosophy
1. You are responsible. You are responsible 365 days a year, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. If you are there or 3,000 miles away. You are responsible. You can delegate authority, but not responsibility.
2. The chief is always right. Invite input, debate, etc. from the officers. However, once the decision is made, that’s it. In public, the officers must show solidarity.
3. The officers are always right. If an officer makes a decision you disagree with, in public or with the other firefighters, that decision was right. You talk about what you would have done differently in private.
4. Delegate, delegate, and delegate. You can’t be involved in every activity, nor should you be. Give the junior officers responsibilities and hold them accountable. If they follow through, give them more and more. If they don’t, let them know about it and don’t give them any additional work.
5. Try to develop a command presence. Your presence at an emergency should send a message to the firefighters that everything is going to be okay. Regardless of how badly something is going, try to maintain a calm exterior. Motivate your people. This is done differently for each individual. If you give an order or tell them to get into a building, they should totally believe that you believe they can do it. Never tell a firefighter to do something you wouldn’t or couldn’t do yourself. Chiefs give orders on incomplete information regularly. Even if you have doubts about it, give the order as if you are 100% confident about it. Your confidence is a force multiplier.
6. Let them have fun. Nobody is getting paid for this. The younger guys have to enjoy themselves. At the same time, know when to pull in the reins, and when you do, jerk them hard. They still have to be professionals. You can’t be their buddy anymore. You are the man, and they have to recognize it as such.
7. Pace of change. Keep them sullen but not mutinous. The pace of change has to be fast enough that the young guys see progress, but not so fast that the dinosaurs get riled up. As long as both groups are slightly unhappy, you’re doing fine.
8. Don’t be afraid to piss somebody off. If you’re not pissing somebody off once in a while, you’re not doing your job.
9. Encourage training certifications. Push the guys to get their Firefighter 1 and other certificates. The time is fast coming when what you are able to do, and what positions you can hold in a fire department virtually anywhere will be determined by these certificates. At the same time, work to keep things in perspective. Firefighter 1 or 2 does not equal “super firefighter”.
10. Develop junior officers. The greatest legacy a chief can have is by the officers he leaves behind.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Some Great Comments on "Fire Men"
"A few days ago a friend threw the book FIRE MEN at me. It took just a few days to read this terrific recollection interwoven with a personal physical trauma. I thought it was great!
What is so amazing is how many experiences the Rymans had in structural fire and motor vehicle incidents were ones closely compared to many I've experienced in my 42 years on the job. One of the best was one of the guys trying to "pull" a tongue and groove ceiling. When my hook hit the same in dense smoke it made the same thump. I knew this was different.
I have since thrown the book at other friends in the job to enhance their understanding of this great profession.
Thanks again."
Battalion Chief Harry Cohoon
St. Charles, Missouri
What is so amazing is how many experiences the Rymans had in structural fire and motor vehicle incidents were ones closely compared to many I've experienced in my 42 years on the job. One of the best was one of the guys trying to "pull" a tongue and groove ceiling. When my hook hit the same in dense smoke it made the same thump. I knew this was different.
I have since thrown the book at other friends in the job to enhance their understanding of this great profession.
Thanks again."
Battalion Chief Harry Cohoon
St. Charles, Missouri
Friday, March 2, 2012
Gary Talks Grocery Store Fires at Central PA Bravest
Central PA Bravest
March 1, 2012
Grocery Store Fires - Not Just Bread, Butter and Beans
by Gary R. Ryman
Milk, eggs, coffee; the next time you visit the local grocery store, look up from your list at this common occupancy and the fire suppression issues presented. Grocery stores are carrying a wider variety of merchandise in bigger quantities than every before. Beyond food items, there is lighter fluid, motor oil, Styrofoam cups and plates, and other high fire challenge commodities. In larger stores, stock values exceeding ten million dollars are not unusual. Generally in a fully sprinklered grocery store, a fire would be expected to be quickly controlled by sprinklers, usually five heads or less. There are, however, a few areas of these stores which can cause some interesting challenges for firefighters.
Rear stockrooms are becoming smaller and more congested. The trend toward increased sales space and smaller support areas increases the density of storage and fire challenge in these areas, and periods right after a delivery will be the worst. This can make reaching the seat of a stock room fire far more difficult. In addition, it could result in delays in controlling utilities, as electrical panels and access to the switchgear which are typically located here may be obstructed.
The front canopy of many stores appears like an innocuous cover for shopping carts and sale flyers and a place to display a large sign or insignia for the store brand. In many cases, the interior is plywood, resulting in a sizeable combustible concealed space attached to the main store. The strip center stores in which many grocery stores are present, have similarly constructed canopies. Few of these are provided with sprinkler protection. Fires can be ignited by lights, signs, or other electrical ignition sources, and are not uncommon. If there are openings between the rear of the canopy and the main store, fire can and will spread into the main store. Even if cut off by a rated separation, extensive smoke can be expected in areas of the store. Extensive opening up of the canopy front, and from below is critical for water application along with interior crews to check the extension of fire into the store.
Reaching this area inside the store can be difficult, particularly in smoky conditions. Most stores have not easily located stairwells to this level. Offices, break rooms, and similar support areas are usually present along a corridor adjacent to the canopy. Some older stores have walkways or catwalks with observation posts for Security personnel. Others have extensive storage of seasonal displays and similar items, increasing access difficulties. At a minimum, an Engine and Truck company should be assigned to this area and a thermal imaging camera can be invaluable. The on duty store manager can provide timely assistance in locating the stairway, and providing some information on the layout which will be encountered.
As with many public occupancies, search can be challenging. Each aisle should be quickly covered. Don’t forget restrooms; not easily located in many stores, which you know if you’ve ever needed to use one while shopping. Food preparation areas around the perimeter walls such as bakeries, deli, and the like also need to be checked along with the rear stock area.
As in any commercial structure, the sprinkler protection is your best friend. Ensure that one of the first arriving engines ties into the fire department connection to supplement the system. Make sure sprinkler control valves are open and don’t close them prematurely.
Smoke removal by the standard methods is important. Beyond the life safety implications, overall damage can be reduced by prompt ventilation.
If power needs to be cut for an extended period, refrigeration will be down. Salvage covers or tarps over the open case freezers commonly found in stores can help reduce the temperature increases in these units and improve salvage potential.
Grocery store fires can present some interesting challenges. The layout can differ from store to store even within the same chain, so don’t assume one is identical to another. Familiarity increases the likelihood of a safe and successful operation. Pre-incident knowledge of your first due grocery stores can help make a fire there into a bread and butter incident.
March 1, 2012
Grocery Store Fires - Not Just Bread, Butter and Beans
by Gary R. Ryman
Milk, eggs, coffee; the next time you visit the local grocery store, look up from your list at this common occupancy and the fire suppression issues presented. Grocery stores are carrying a wider variety of merchandise in bigger quantities than every before. Beyond food items, there is lighter fluid, motor oil, Styrofoam cups and plates, and other high fire challenge commodities. In larger stores, stock values exceeding ten million dollars are not unusual. Generally in a fully sprinklered grocery store, a fire would be expected to be quickly controlled by sprinklers, usually five heads or less. There are, however, a few areas of these stores which can cause some interesting challenges for firefighters.
Rear stockrooms are becoming smaller and more congested. The trend toward increased sales space and smaller support areas increases the density of storage and fire challenge in these areas, and periods right after a delivery will be the worst. This can make reaching the seat of a stock room fire far more difficult. In addition, it could result in delays in controlling utilities, as electrical panels and access to the switchgear which are typically located here may be obstructed.
The front canopy of many stores appears like an innocuous cover for shopping carts and sale flyers and a place to display a large sign or insignia for the store brand. In many cases, the interior is plywood, resulting in a sizeable combustible concealed space attached to the main store. The strip center stores in which many grocery stores are present, have similarly constructed canopies. Few of these are provided with sprinkler protection. Fires can be ignited by lights, signs, or other electrical ignition sources, and are not uncommon. If there are openings between the rear of the canopy and the main store, fire can and will spread into the main store. Even if cut off by a rated separation, extensive smoke can be expected in areas of the store. Extensive opening up of the canopy front, and from below is critical for water application along with interior crews to check the extension of fire into the store.
Reaching this area inside the store can be difficult, particularly in smoky conditions. Most stores have not easily located stairwells to this level. Offices, break rooms, and similar support areas are usually present along a corridor adjacent to the canopy. Some older stores have walkways or catwalks with observation posts for Security personnel. Others have extensive storage of seasonal displays and similar items, increasing access difficulties. At a minimum, an Engine and Truck company should be assigned to this area and a thermal imaging camera can be invaluable. The on duty store manager can provide timely assistance in locating the stairway, and providing some information on the layout which will be encountered.
As with many public occupancies, search can be challenging. Each aisle should be quickly covered. Don’t forget restrooms; not easily located in many stores, which you know if you’ve ever needed to use one while shopping. Food preparation areas around the perimeter walls such as bakeries, deli, and the like also need to be checked along with the rear stock area.
As in any commercial structure, the sprinkler protection is your best friend. Ensure that one of the first arriving engines ties into the fire department connection to supplement the system. Make sure sprinkler control valves are open and don’t close them prematurely.
Smoke removal by the standard methods is important. Beyond the life safety implications, overall damage can be reduced by prompt ventilation.
If power needs to be cut for an extended period, refrigeration will be down. Salvage covers or tarps over the open case freezers commonly found in stores can help reduce the temperature increases in these units and improve salvage potential.
Grocery store fires can present some interesting challenges. The layout can differ from store to store even within the same chain, so don’t assume one is identical to another. Familiarity increases the likelihood of a safe and successful operation. Pre-incident knowledge of your first due grocery stores can help make a fire there into a bread and butter incident.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Firefighting Zoology
Mixing animals and firefighters usually results in a memorable incident.
The house was going good with fire in the basement and on the first floor. On the line in the basement, we made quick work of the fire there, much less than on the floor above. Exiting, we dragged the line over to go in and help on the first floor. On of the chiefs tapped me on the shoulder.
“Did you see a snake down there?” That got my attention.
“No, if I had you wouldn’t see me now. What kind of snake?” Snakes are not my favorite creature.
“One of those big fat South American types. Apparently it’s missing from its container.”
The fire instantly became a defensive exterior attack, at least for me. I had no desire to assist the brothers on the first floor any longer. Luckily they had things well under control. Overhaul was out of the question as well, and Rehab was looking good—it was well away from the house. Luckily the owner quickly located the missing reptile, which I learned while contently sipping coffee with the EMS folks.
EMS calls are not exempt. We had just started to examine a man experiencing chest pains when his dog decided to make an appearance. This was not our typical friendly pet lap dog. This was Cujo’s twin; a snapping snarling beast with dog goo dripping from his snout as he growled at us. We backed slowly away, and the animal herded us like the sheep we were away from his owner. Making it through an opening into an adjacent room, we slammed the door and then opened it just a crack to see what was happening. There sat our patient while the $5000 (in those days) Life Pak we had abandoned was being turned into an expensive chew toy. Our dog mace was in its normal spot, secured to the visor in the front of the rig—located on the opposite side of our captor. We had little choice but to wait until the victim’s wife took the now docile mutt from the room. It made us wish for a hand line. As nasty as Cujo looked, there was no way he could’ve swallowed 150 gallons per minute.
Larger animals can be less frightening, but troublesome in different ways. At a silo fire, we needed to get the cows out of the attached barn in case of extension. A slap on the ass got most of them moving, but one was a bit stubborn. Jim and I each took an end—which didn’t matter as there is no really desirable end to a cow—and began pulling and pushing. While you would think two chief officers would be smarter than and able to direct a simple cow, you would be wrong. We had as much influence on the bovine creature as we did over department dinosaurs (another interesting species). Eventually the cow tired of our attempts and decided on her own to join her cohorts in the pasture.
Animals and emergencies—such a fun combination.
The house was going good with fire in the basement and on the first floor. On the line in the basement, we made quick work of the fire there, much less than on the floor above. Exiting, we dragged the line over to go in and help on the first floor. On of the chiefs tapped me on the shoulder.
“Did you see a snake down there?” That got my attention.
“No, if I had you wouldn’t see me now. What kind of snake?” Snakes are not my favorite creature.
“One of those big fat South American types. Apparently it’s missing from its container.”
The fire instantly became a defensive exterior attack, at least for me. I had no desire to assist the brothers on the first floor any longer. Luckily they had things well under control. Overhaul was out of the question as well, and Rehab was looking good—it was well away from the house. Luckily the owner quickly located the missing reptile, which I learned while contently sipping coffee with the EMS folks.
EMS calls are not exempt. We had just started to examine a man experiencing chest pains when his dog decided to make an appearance. This was not our typical friendly pet lap dog. This was Cujo’s twin; a snapping snarling beast with dog goo dripping from his snout as he growled at us. We backed slowly away, and the animal herded us like the sheep we were away from his owner. Making it through an opening into an adjacent room, we slammed the door and then opened it just a crack to see what was happening. There sat our patient while the $5000 (in those days) Life Pak we had abandoned was being turned into an expensive chew toy. Our dog mace was in its normal spot, secured to the visor in the front of the rig—located on the opposite side of our captor. We had little choice but to wait until the victim’s wife took the now docile mutt from the room. It made us wish for a hand line. As nasty as Cujo looked, there was no way he could’ve swallowed 150 gallons per minute.
Larger animals can be less frightening, but troublesome in different ways. At a silo fire, we needed to get the cows out of the attached barn in case of extension. A slap on the ass got most of them moving, but one was a bit stubborn. Jim and I each took an end—which didn’t matter as there is no really desirable end to a cow—and began pulling and pushing. While you would think two chief officers would be smarter than and able to direct a simple cow, you would be wrong. We had as much influence on the bovine creature as we did over department dinosaurs (another interesting species). Eventually the cow tired of our attempts and decided on her own to join her cohorts in the pasture.
Animals and emergencies—such a fun combination.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Gary talks Rural Water 101 at Central PA Bravest
Central PA Bravest
February 24, 2012
Rural Water 101
by Gary R. Ryman
Rural water supply operations can be successfully conducted in a variety of ways and much depends on the equipment available in a particular area. Different jurisdictions use tanker task forces, rural box alarms, and for some, these operations are part of their every day bread and butter.
Innovation and ingenuity are the catch words for these operations, but these are useless without knowledge and training. Knowing the accessible water sources, static or otherwise in your first due area is critical. Every fill site is different and setting up for the best access and maximum flexibility is always a challenge. Pre-planning and training at these sites helps to establish the most efficient positioning and fill site set-up configuration. Conducting these sessions with the neighboring departments, who will most likely be assigned this responsibility, and doing the same in their areas, makes the system work.
The rules of thumb I have found successful are based on the use of large tankers, defined as 3000 gallon and up; all designed to both fill and dump quickly. A differing equipment mix could change the equation. Committing the first due tanker or “burying” it with the first due engine has some advantages. With both pieces in close proximity, a cheater can supply and supplement the attack engine tank water. Realistically, on a one or two room fire, this should be sufficient for a knock down. Murphy, however, works everywhere.
If the situation is such that a shuttle is implemented, the utilization of the first tanker in this manner allows it to act as a safety or reserve. Once the shuttle supply has been established, re-filling the first tanker is a priority. Over the course of an extended incident, something inevitably will interrupt the operation. Losing prime, a mechanical breakdown, or any other number of things can impair the supply. With the first tanker full, operations can continue and if an interior attack is underway, allow time to affect a controlled withdrawal if the gremlins cannot be promptly corrected.
While distance, flow requirements, and tanker size, can all be used to calculate specific needs, standard rules of thumb are usually easier. For example, a separate fill and dump site for every five tankers in use is typically desirable. Stacking tankers up at either end is inefficient, and two or three tankers waiting to fill means water is not moving. Dump sites can be entirely separate or simply additional drop tanks in tandem. Such situations are tailor made for jet siphons between tanks. Having one or two extra tankers in the mix helps minimize interruptions for breakdowns. The same goes for engines.
The officer with the overall water supply assignment should coordinate closely with the incident commander on the desired flow requirements. This will help determine the number of tankers, fill and dump sites, etc. Knowing secondary and tertiary sources is important in case of problems with the primary or a larger flow is needed. Getting the water supply operation onto a separate radio channel will help keep the increasingly crowded airway clearer for fire ground personnel. Given the choice of a pumper relay from a static source or a shuttle, the relay is the default choice if distances are manageable. It takes less moving parts and hence is inherently more reliable. This is another area where training is important. Trying to set up a relay operation without having trained on it previously is a recipe for disaster. What sounds easy to do in the book is anything but at three in the morning; particularly trying to get three or four engine companies who haven’t worked together to lay and pump an extended line in a timely manner.
Dry hydrants are a big plus, but need to be installed correctly and maintained afterward with annual back flushing. Sources other than ponds and creeks should not be forgotten. Swimming pools are a great possibility. Even if not apparatus accessible, a portable pump and five minutes work can provide a nice supplementary supply. Field expedient drop tanks can be put together with ladder and salvage covers. Run off from the incident, if channeled and dammed can be collected and sent back into the fray via a portable pump. You can’t get much more efficient on the fire ground than by using the same water more than once.
Even if you only have small non hydranted areas or seldom conduct these operations, they are entirely manageable with some forethought and training.
No Porta Pond - No Problem!
Secure 3 roof ladders with their hooks and some rope and throw a salvage cover over top.
February 24, 2012
Rural Water 101
by Gary R. Ryman
Rural water supply operations can be successfully conducted in a variety of ways and much depends on the equipment available in a particular area. Different jurisdictions use tanker task forces, rural box alarms, and for some, these operations are part of their every day bread and butter.
Innovation and ingenuity are the catch words for these operations, but these are useless without knowledge and training. Knowing the accessible water sources, static or otherwise in your first due area is critical. Every fill site is different and setting up for the best access and maximum flexibility is always a challenge. Pre-planning and training at these sites helps to establish the most efficient positioning and fill site set-up configuration. Conducting these sessions with the neighboring departments, who will most likely be assigned this responsibility, and doing the same in their areas, makes the system work.
The rules of thumb I have found successful are based on the use of large tankers, defined as 3000 gallon and up; all designed to both fill and dump quickly. A differing equipment mix could change the equation. Committing the first due tanker or “burying” it with the first due engine has some advantages. With both pieces in close proximity, a cheater can supply and supplement the attack engine tank water. Realistically, on a one or two room fire, this should be sufficient for a knock down. Murphy, however, works everywhere.
If the situation is such that a shuttle is implemented, the utilization of the first tanker in this manner allows it to act as a safety or reserve. Once the shuttle supply has been established, re-filling the first tanker is a priority. Over the course of an extended incident, something inevitably will interrupt the operation. Losing prime, a mechanical breakdown, or any other number of things can impair the supply. With the first tanker full, operations can continue and if an interior attack is underway, allow time to affect a controlled withdrawal if the gremlins cannot be promptly corrected.While distance, flow requirements, and tanker size, can all be used to calculate specific needs, standard rules of thumb are usually easier. For example, a separate fill and dump site for every five tankers in use is typically desirable. Stacking tankers up at either end is inefficient, and two or three tankers waiting to fill means water is not moving. Dump sites can be entirely separate or simply additional drop tanks in tandem. Such situations are tailor made for jet siphons between tanks. Having one or two extra tankers in the mix helps minimize interruptions for breakdowns. The same goes for engines.
The officer with the overall water supply assignment should coordinate closely with the incident commander on the desired flow requirements. This will help determine the number of tankers, fill and dump sites, etc. Knowing secondary and tertiary sources is important in case of problems with the primary or a larger flow is needed. Getting the water supply operation onto a separate radio channel will help keep the increasingly crowded airway clearer for fire ground personnel. Given the choice of a pumper relay from a static source or a shuttle, the relay is the default choice if distances are manageable. It takes less moving parts and hence is inherently more reliable. This is another area where training is important. Trying to set up a relay operation without having trained on it previously is a recipe for disaster. What sounds easy to do in the book is anything but at three in the morning; particularly trying to get three or four engine companies who haven’t worked together to lay and pump an extended line in a timely manner.
Dry hydrants are a big plus, but need to be installed correctly and maintained afterward with annual back flushing. Sources other than ponds and creeks should not be forgotten. Swimming pools are a great possibility. Even if not apparatus accessible, a portable pump and five minutes work can provide a nice supplementary supply. Field expedient drop tanks can be put together with ladder and salvage covers. Run off from the incident, if channeled and dammed can be collected and sent back into the fray via a portable pump. You can’t get much more efficient on the fire ground than by using the same water more than once.
Even if you only have small non hydranted areas or seldom conduct these operations, they are entirely manageable with some forethought and training.
No Porta Pond - No Problem!
Secure 3 roof ladders with their hooks and some rope and throw a salvage cover over top.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Country Firefighting Physical Fitness or....You Might Be A Redneck if...
The increased emphasis on firefighter fitness is certainly a positive and something we could all wish to emulate. The firefighter combat challenge and various local events and in-house tests include items such as rescue drags, stretching hose lines up stairwells and the like. These are good simulations of fire ground activities.
Out in the country, however, sometimes things are a little different. I’ve come up with a few physical and dexterity tests from my own experience that might form the basis for a new challenge.
Ladder Throws: This isn’t your standard carry the ladder to the building and put it up. Mine requires the weather complexities regularly seen in the northern portions of the country. The contestant must carry, place, and extend a 24 ft. ground ladder to a building, but….must do it through two feet of snow, around three pick up trucks and an old tractor with four foot drifts in pitch black darkness. Try to avoid stepping in the forgotten child’s plastic swimming pool now filled with snow and ice.
Find the O2 Wrench: This test of dexterity is conducted in the back of a dimly lit ambulance going over a pot hole filled one lane dirt road at considerable velocity. The contestant must locate, pick up, and utilize an O2 wrench from the floor of the bouncing rig which is slick from melted snow, ice and other unmentionable liquids commonly found with nauseous patients. Hands will naturally be sheathed in latex gloves…..a minimum of one size too large—‘cause the ambulance captain figures one size fits all.
The Brush Fire Jog: This is done with boots, bunker pants, helmet, gloves, and a full five gallon metal Indian tank. Contestants will compete over a two mile smoke filled course with burning stumps and logs, along with ground hog holes and the ubiquitous cow pies; up hill (both ways). Weather conditions for this will include high 90s in both temperature and humidity. The contestant who holds the nozzle low to allow the tank to drain out may not win, but is definitely the smartest.
Country Hose Load: Pack 1000 feet of semi frozen 5 inch supply line in the back of a pick-up truck to take back to the station to thaw and reload. Gloves and bunker gear will be frozen and the pick-up driver will be sure to mention how warm it is in the cab every three minutes or so. The contestant will be judged on how quickly the mass of spaghetti can be piled into the truck. Points will be deducted for lengths lost while returning to the station. Needless to say this is another night time event.
I’m sure any “seasoned” country firefighter could add to this list, and hopefully new and more challenging (and evil) tests will arise. If you’ve experienced any or all of the above….you might be a redneck firefighter.
Out in the country, however, sometimes things are a little different. I’ve come up with a few physical and dexterity tests from my own experience that might form the basis for a new challenge.
Ladder Throws: This isn’t your standard carry the ladder to the building and put it up. Mine requires the weather complexities regularly seen in the northern portions of the country. The contestant must carry, place, and extend a 24 ft. ground ladder to a building, but….must do it through two feet of snow, around three pick up trucks and an old tractor with four foot drifts in pitch black darkness. Try to avoid stepping in the forgotten child’s plastic swimming pool now filled with snow and ice.
Find the O2 Wrench: This test of dexterity is conducted in the back of a dimly lit ambulance going over a pot hole filled one lane dirt road at considerable velocity. The contestant must locate, pick up, and utilize an O2 wrench from the floor of the bouncing rig which is slick from melted snow, ice and other unmentionable liquids commonly found with nauseous patients. Hands will naturally be sheathed in latex gloves…..a minimum of one size too large—‘cause the ambulance captain figures one size fits all.
The Brush Fire Jog: This is done with boots, bunker pants, helmet, gloves, and a full five gallon metal Indian tank. Contestants will compete over a two mile smoke filled course with burning stumps and logs, along with ground hog holes and the ubiquitous cow pies; up hill (both ways). Weather conditions for this will include high 90s in both temperature and humidity. The contestant who holds the nozzle low to allow the tank to drain out may not win, but is definitely the smartest.
Country Hose Load: Pack 1000 feet of semi frozen 5 inch supply line in the back of a pick-up truck to take back to the station to thaw and reload. Gloves and bunker gear will be frozen and the pick-up driver will be sure to mention how warm it is in the cab every three minutes or so. The contestant will be judged on how quickly the mass of spaghetti can be piled into the truck. Points will be deducted for lengths lost while returning to the station. Needless to say this is another night time event.
I’m sure any “seasoned” country firefighter could add to this list, and hopefully new and more challenging (and evil) tests will arise. If you’ve experienced any or all of the above….you might be a redneck firefighter.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Educating the Public...Or the Local Pastor Meets the Live-ins
The fire department board of directors had a position available for a public representative. This gave the board members the benefit of some outside civilian advice and simultaneously provided the opportunity for non-affiliated community members to gain an understanding and education of the work of the emergency responders.
The new year brought a new community member to the board, the pastor of a local church. The lady minister was enthusiastic about her new responsibilities and appreciative of the services the firefighters provided.
On Valentines Day, she decided to show this appreciation by giving each of the live-in firefighters small goody bags. Rather than leave the bags in the kitchen or at the watch desk, she wanted to deliver them herself, and so proceeded into the bunk room. She walked through the open portion, already vacated earlier that morning, to a row of individual rooms assigned to some of the live-in firefighters.
She began hanging the bags on the knob of each door. One of the items in the goody bags was a container of silly string, not a great selection for a group of mischievous young firefighters. As she proceeded, one young bleary eyed live-in opened his door, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, to find the bag. Watching the good lady, he saw one of his fellow live-ins exit his room as well. The underwear clad firefighter stunned the pastor, her eyes opening wide. Her education had begun…….
The new year brought a new community member to the board, the pastor of a local church. The lady minister was enthusiastic about her new responsibilities and appreciative of the services the firefighters provided.
On Valentines Day, she decided to show this appreciation by giving each of the live-in firefighters small goody bags. Rather than leave the bags in the kitchen or at the watch desk, she wanted to deliver them herself, and so proceeded into the bunk room. She walked through the open portion, already vacated earlier that morning, to a row of individual rooms assigned to some of the live-in firefighters.
She began hanging the bags on the knob of each door. One of the items in the goody bags was a container of silly string, not a great selection for a group of mischievous young firefighters. As she proceeded, one young bleary eyed live-in opened his door, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, to find the bag. Watching the good lady, he saw one of his fellow live-ins exit his room as well. The underwear clad firefighter stunned the pastor, her eyes opening wide. Her education had begun…….
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