My One True Passion

Firefighting might be just another way to earn a paycheck for some. It consumes me. I really live for it.

I sit, always ready to jump when the bell rings. Kissing my lady goodbye as I run out the door, knowing I have her as my personal medic to put me back together, she's usually right behind me. Even in my bedroom my pants lay on the floor with my boots pulled through the legs, socks tossed over the top, a shirt floats above in the breeze of the ceiling fan. My gear sits completely prepared for me as well. Everything is hung in the order of it's donning. Pants and boots below, hood on the outside hook, coat on the back hook, mask beside it, helmet on the top shelf, gloves strapped to the coat. Granted I operate the apparatus quite frequently, But I jump at the chance to ride in back, as one of crew that will eventually enter. Crawling in the darkness, searching for that warm glow. You can't see the fire, but you can feel it. The heat tells you where to go. Up the stairs, down the hall, now you can hear it. It crackles like a camp fire and roars with the wind. You might even crawl right on top of it, the golden flicks of light crawling up you mask, never fear you've got your gear. Just back up and let loose.

As the pump operator your job is primarily over by the time the firefighters start theirs. By the time they have pulled their hose to the front door, I've flipped all my switches, turned my cranks and pulled my levers. I've given them their holy water by the time they hit the door. If all goes well there is a hydrant close. After establishing a water supply my job tends to slow down. I babysit a $500,000 truck for the duration of the call. I stand in the freezing rain and snow, walking gingerly on the ice rink I've turned the street into. Myself and old man fire will not visit today. Not without virtue, the operator plays defender to the firefighters. Against oncoming cars on the freeway, dark alleys and muddy swamps and with water, their life blood.

I'd take either, in a minute. Now if only there was a call.