Retiring Fireman

At the annual fireman’s banquet there were three retirements.

My other baby brother, a friend and Far Guy.  Between them they volunteered for 58 years.

The third time is a charm for Far Guy.  He came out of retirement twice to help out because they were short handed during the daytime.  A while back he said “I am just too tired to keep up with those young guys anymore.”  So he turned in his pager.

The pager used to go off every night a 6PM for a pager test.  The dog knew that it was time for supper..the dog also knew if he and Far Guy were off someplace in the yard when the pager went off Chance was to go to the house.  I don’t miss the pager going off all times of the day and night..ignorance is bliss.

Behind every fireman is a helpful understanding family..sometimes they have to leave in the middle of a family dinner, sometimes they are gone for half the day, or all night.  You wonder are they okay..and what is holding them up.  Did they have one call after another..or do they have big problems?  Sometimes they miss supper time completely and even if it was not your night to cook..you cook anyway and save something for them.  They will want to eat and take a shower and sometimes talk..especially if it was a “bad call” and they need time to wind down.

Around these parts if we didn’t have a Volunteer Fire Department we wouldn’t have any Fire Department.  Well we would have one but it would be so far away it wouldn’t do much good.

58 years ..I wish I could get some long term volunteers like that at the museum..but I guess greeting guests at the museum isn’t near as interesting as going into burning buildings.

Thanks guys..you did good! :)

The Fireman’s Wife and Dog

Sometimes Far Guy and I are out and about when his pager goes off..he is still a Volunteer Fireman and is on call from 7 to 7 during weekdays. In our area most of the young guys are out of the area working during the day and the fire hall can be short handed. Sometimes Chance and I drop Far Guy off at the fire  hall, they will see that he gets home.

Every evening at six o’clock there is a pager test, Chance knows that it is just a test..but it is a signal to him that someone should be in the kitchen cooking supper (usually Far Guy).  Other times during the day, if the pager goes off while Far Guy and Chance are outside..Chance heads for the house ..he knows he will be left behind. He plops himself down next to the door and sighs.

The other day, we were close to the location of a fender bender..Chance and I watched from afar.   Now that reminds me of a joke. “Did you know that the wisemen were really fireman? ( pause for effect)  It says so right in the Bible..they came from afar.”

On Thursday night we had a “date night”..there was a control burn, and I got to take photos. Chance watched from the car, and then Far Guy took him for a walk.  I watched and took photos from afar. Far Guy was there to see that all of their cameras were set to take photos and to be a driver just in case there was a rescue call.

Control burns are done for a number of reasons usually the houses are no longer inhabitable and the owners wish to burn them down.  It provides a great training exercise for Fireman, this house provided valuable training that may some day save a Fireman’s life..or maybe yours.    I got some great shots of some awesome fire behavior:)

A Thousand Words: Fireman

I hope you remembered to change out those batteries in your smoke alarms.   If not..this guy might visit you.    He is a Daddy too in addition to being a Fireman..being a fireman is hot, filthy work..some times a little girl must just be content to just touch her Daddy's helmet.  Out here in the boonies, every time you do something stupid ..like starting your oven on fire ( I did that) someone must leave their home and time with their family to rescue you and your house.  Did I just hear someone say.. "But that is their job"   ..maybe in your area it is..out here they get paid $5.00 a call..or maybe it is up to $6.00  by now...which just helps cover expenses.   Fireman..you gotta love them..and  this one is one of the special ones..my nephew Josh:)